JP6358109B2 - Information code display device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an information code display device.

  In recent years, the function of information codes themselves has been advanced, and a technique for arranging photographs and drawings in the code area has also been proposed. For example, in the technique of Patent Document 1, an inversely converted bit string obtained by inversely converting a bit string that forms an area to be read as a single value in a two-dimensional code is obtained, and the inversely converted bit string is converted based on the format information of the two-dimensional code. By generating a two-dimensional code, a special two-dimensional code having a design area composed of a single gradation value is generated.

Japanese Patent No. 5057560

  By the way, in recent years, the use of information codes has become more and more diversified. For example, a usage method has been proposed in which an information code is displayed on an electronic terminal such as a smartphone and the information code is read by an external reader. . Unlike the case where the information code is displayed on a paper medium or the like, this method of use has an advantage that the information code can be easily enlarged and displayed in a reduced size. For example, when displaying and using a QR code (registered trademark) on a smartphone, a touch operation (such as a pinch operation) is performed on the display unit (touch panel) as necessary to enlarge an image near the QR code (registered trademark). Or downsizing to fit the appropriate size.

  However, since the above-described conventional size changing method is a method of integrally expanding or reducing the entire code area displayed on the electronic terminal, there is a demand for a user who wants to change the balance between the cell and the image area. It was not a method that could be fully satisfied. For example, although the design code has been enlarged in order to make the image area as large as possible, the cell size has been greatly enlarged unintentionally, and the overall appearance tends to be poor. In addition, the present invention is not limited to this example, and the existing code display changing method may not meet the user's request in which the ratio of the image area to the entire code is changed in a fixed form.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and can be displayed as a new information code by changing the entire size of the information code displayed on the display unit or the size of some elements, Another object of the present invention is to provide a configuration in which the ratio of the image area to the entire information code can be changed between the information code before the size change and the new information code after the size change.

The present invention is a display unit capable of displaying an information code comprising: an area in which cells serving as units for displaying information are arranged; and an image area in which an image other than the cells is displayed;
A receiving unit capable of receiving a change instruction to change the overall size of the information code displayed on the display unit or the size of a part of the information code;
After the information code is displayed on the display unit, when the change instruction is received by the receiving unit, at least the recorded content of the information code displayed on the display unit before the change instruction is recorded. And a generation unit that performs a process of generating a new information code in which the image of the image area is represented with contents according to the change instruction;
With
The generator is
A ratio determining unit that determines a ratio of the image area with respect to the entire information code in the new information code when generating the new information code according to the change instruction;
A configuration determining unit that determines an internal configuration of the new information code so that the content corresponds to the change instruction according to the ratio of the image area determined by the ratio determining unit;
Have
The display unit displays the new information code in the internal configuration determined by the configuration determination unit when the generation unit performs the process of generating the new information code ,
The ratio determining unit, when the receiving unit receives a size enlargement instruction to increase the overall size or the size of the image area than the information code displayed on the display unit before the change instruction, The ratio of the image area to the entire information code in the new information code so as to be larger than the ratio of the image area to the entire information code in the information code displayed on the display unit before the size enlargement instruction It is characterized by determining .

According to the first aspect of the present invention, it is possible to accept a change instruction for changing the overall size of the information code displayed on the display unit or the size of a part of the elements. Then, when generating a new information code having contents according to the change instruction, a ratio determining unit that determines a ratio of the image area to the entire information code in the new information code, and an image determined by the ratio determining unit A configuration determination unit is provided that determines the internal configuration of a new information code so that the content corresponds to the change instruction according to the ratio of the area. And a display part becomes a structure which displays a new information code by the internal structure determined by the structure determination part, when the process which produces | generates a new information code is performed by the production | generation part.
According to this configuration, by giving the display device a change instruction for changing the overall size of the information code displayed on the display device or the size of the partial element, the entire size of the information code or the partial code A new information code can be generated and displayed by changing the size. When a new information code is generated / displayed, the ratio of the image area to the entire information code is newly determined and the internal configuration according to the ratio can be set. In some cases, a novel display change can be made in a form that could not be achieved with a configuration in which the ratio of the image area to the entire code is sometimes fixed.

In particular , when the reception unit receives a size enlargement instruction to increase the overall size or the size of the image area than the information code displayed on the display unit before the change instruction, the ratio determination unit The ratio of the image area to the entire information code in the new information code is determined so as to be larger than the ratio of the image area to the entire information code in the information code displayed on the display unit.
Because of this configuration, the user gives a size enlargement instruction to the display device, so that the user can create a new one with a larger overall size or image area size than the information code displayed before the instruction. An information code can be generated and displayed. Moreover, the ratio of the image area to the entire information code with the new information code is changed to be larger than the ratio of the image area to the entire information code with the information code displayed on the display unit before the instruction. Therefore, a merit for the user who wants to reconstruct the information code in a form in which the image area is greatly emphasized is greatly increased.

In the invention of claim 2 , when the size enlargement instruction for increasing the overall size of the information code is accepted by the accepting unit, the structure determining unit uses the information code displayed on the display unit before the size enlargement instruction. The internal configuration of the new information code is set so that the ratio of the cell size to the size of the image area in the new information code is smaller than the ratio of the cell size to the size of the image area in decide.
In this configuration, when the size enlargement instruction is given, the ratio of the cell size to the size of the image area is reduced, so that the data represented by the cell array before the instruction is represented. This cell array area can be made smaller than before the instruction, and it becomes easier to allocate the reduced area required for data to enlarge the image area. Therefore, it is more advantageous when it is desired to enlarge the image area as much as possible while ensuring data recording.

In the invention of claim 3 , when the size enlargement instruction is accepted by the accepting unit, the configuration determining unit has the same size as the cell size in the information code displayed on the display unit before the size enlargement instruction. The internal configuration with a new information code is determined so as to have a structure in which the cells are arranged.
In this configuration, when the size enlargement instruction is given, the entire size of the code can be increased without changing the cell size. Easier to assign for expansion. Moreover, since the cell size is the same between the information code before the instruction and the new information code after the instruction, the cell size does not become unexpected before and after the change, and the state of the cell is as much as possible. This is more advantageous when it is desired to enlarge the code and the image area without changing them.

In the invention according to claim 4 , when the size reduction instruction for reducing the size smaller than the information code displayed on the display unit before the change instruction is received by the reception unit, the ratio determination unit receives the size reduction instruction. The ratio of the image area to the entire information code in the new information code is determined to be larger than the ratio of the image area to the entire information code in the information code previously displayed on the display unit.
With this configuration, the user generates a new information code in a form in which the overall size is smaller than the information code displayed before the instruction by giving a size reduction instruction to the display device. Can be displayed. In addition, there is a concern that the image area may be significantly reduced by simply reducing the code. However, in this configuration, the image area for the entire information code in the information code displayed on the display unit before the instruction is given. The ratio of the image area with respect to the entire information code in the new information code can be changed to be larger than the ratio of the image area. Therefore, the image area is emphasized as much as possible while reducing the code size. It becomes possible to reconstruct the information code.

In the invention of claim 5 , when the size reduction instruction is received by the reception unit, the structure determination unit arranges cells smaller than the information code cell displayed on the display unit before the size reduction instruction. An internal configuration with a new information code is determined so as to have a structure.
According to this configuration, when a size reduction instruction is given, the size of the entire code can be changed and displayed again. In this case, the image area can be reduced by reducing the cell size with the new information code as much as possible. The occupation ratio can be increased.

In the invention according to claim 6 , when the size reduction instruction is received by the reception unit, the structure determination unit performs a cell corresponding to the size of the image area in the information code displayed on the display unit before the size reduction instruction. The internal configuration with the new information code is determined so that the ratio of the cell size to the size of the image area with the new information code is smaller than the ratio of the size of.
In this configuration, when generating and displaying a new information code corresponding to the size reduction instruction (information code with the overall size reduced), the degree of cell reduction is increased, and the degree of image area reduction is suppressed. Since the size is changed, the code can be reduced and displayed in a form in which the ratio of the image area is reliably increased as compared with the case where the image area and the size of the cell are kept constant.

In the invention of claim 7 , the accepting unit is capable of accepting a predetermined ratio specifying instruction, and the ratio determining unit is able to receive a new information code when the accepting part accepts the predetermined ratio specifying instruction. The ratio of the image area to the entire information code is set to a predetermined maximum ratio.
With this configuration, a novel display change in a form in which the ratio of the image area is increased can be performed by a relatively simple instruction of giving a predetermined ratio designation instruction to the display device.

In the invention of claim 8, a plurality of types of model numbers having different combinations of cell row numbers and column numbers are prepared, and the structure determination unit records the information code recorded on the display unit before the change instruction. A new model number is determined based on the change instruction, and the internal configuration with the new information code is determined based on the determined model number and the ratio of the image area determined by the ratio determination unit.
In this way, when a change instruction is made, after determining a new model number according to the change instruction, if a configuration that generates and displays a new information code, simply enlarge the entire code image, It is possible to make fine adjustments that cannot be achieved with existing methods such as reduction.

In the invention of claim 9, the information code displayed on the display unit before the change instruction is made up of a specific pattern area in which a specific pattern having a predetermined shape is arranged inside the code area, and a plurality of types of cells. A data recording area representing data to be decoded, an error correction data recording area in which error correction data for error correction in the data recording area is recorded, and an error correction in the data recording area where no data to be decoded is recorded And an image area configured as an area where error correction data for recording is not recorded. The structure determination unit includes a first area in which a fixed pattern is arranged in the code area, and a data recording area. A second area in which at least recorded decryption target data is recorded, a third area in which error correction data for performing error correction in the second area is recorded, and a decryption target data A fourth area in which data is not recorded and error correction data for performing error correction in the second area is not recorded, and an image obtained by enlarging or reducing the image of the image area by a predetermined method; The internal structure of a new information code is determined in a form provided with.
According to this configuration, in any information code before and after the change, the area where the image is displayed can be represented as a special area where the decoding target data is not recorded and the error correction data is not recorded. Can be configured more freely. And in the structure which displays the characteristic information code in this way, a novel display change that changes the ratio of the image area becomes possible.

In the invention of claim 10, the information code displayed on the display unit before the change instruction is made up of a specific pattern area in which a specific pattern having a predetermined shape is arranged inside the code area, and a plurality of types of cells. Configured as a data recording area representing data to be decoded, an error correction data recording area for recording error correction data for error correction in the data recording area, and an area for error correction by data in the error correction data recording area The structure determining unit records at least the first area in which the fixed pattern is arranged and the data to be decoded recorded in the data recording area in the code area. A second area, a third area in which error correction data for performing error correction in the second area is recorded, and an area in which error correction is performed by the data in the third area. Constructed and determine the internal structure of the fourth region and the new information code in the form provided with the image obtained by enlarging or reducing the image in the image area in a predetermined manner is represented.
According to this configuration, in any information code before and after the change, an area where an image is displayed can be represented as an area where error correction is performed using error correction data. Therefore, it is possible to make a novel display change by changing the ratio of the image area while utilizing the existing idea of correcting the image area by the error correction data.

In the invention of claim 11 , when the generation unit generates a new information code having a size corresponding to the change instruction, the error correction rate determines an error correction rate for the new information code based on the change instruction. A structure determining unit is provided, and the structure determining unit determines an internal configuration with a new information code according to the error correction rate determined by the error correction rate determining unit based on the change instruction.
In this way, if a configuration in which an error correction rate can be newly determined when a new information code is generated in response to a change instruction, the degree of freedom is large and the error correction rate is not constrained by the configuration before the change. Fine adjustment is possible.

In the twelfth aspect of the invention, when the structure determination unit generates a new information code having a size different from that of the information code displayed on the display unit before the change instruction in response to the change instruction, the structure determination unit The second area is configured to record data including data and predetermined dummy data different from the data to be decoded.
According to this configuration, even when an empty space (an empty space that is neither an image area nor a recording area for data to be decoded) is generated due to the change in size, the space is filled with dummy data to make the appearance. It is possible to prevent the deterioration of designability.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram schematically illustrating an information code utilization system according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram schematically illustrating an electrical configuration of an information code reading device that constitutes the information code utilization system of FIG. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram for conceptually explaining the data configuration of the information code used in the information code utilization system of FIG. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram for explaining another type of code corresponding to the information code used in the information code utilization system of FIG. FIG. 5 illustrates the correspondence between the arrangement of each data word in the information code generated by the information code display device constituting the information code utilization system in FIG. 1 and the arrangement of each data word in another type of code. It is explanatory drawing to do. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram conceptually illustrating the format data of the information code used in the information code utilization system of FIG. FIG. 7 explains the correspondence between the arrangement of each data word in the information code generated by the information code display device constituting the information code utilization system in FIG. 1 and the arrangement of each data word in another type of code. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a correspondence relationship different from that in FIG. 5. FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating the flow of information code generation in the information code display device constituting the information code utilization system of FIG. FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating the flow of reading an information code in the information code reading device constituting the information code utilization system of FIG. FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating the flow of the information code display process in the information code display device constituting the information code utilization system of FIG. FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram illustrating Example 1 of the display screen when the display process of FIG. 10 is performed. FIG. 12A is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the information code displayed on the display screen, and FIG. 12B shows the information code re-displayed after the size enlargement instruction for instructing enlargement of the internal image. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example. FIG. 13A is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the information code displayed on the display screen, and FIG. 13B shows an example of the information code redisplayed after the size enlargement instruction for enlarging the entire image as it is. It is explanatory drawing which shows. FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a display screen example 2 when the display process of FIG. 10 is performed. FIG. 15A is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the information code displayed on the display screen, and FIG. 15B is an example of the information code re-displayed after the size reduction instruction accompanying the enlargement of the internal image. It is explanatory drawing which shows. FIG. 16A is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the information code displayed on the display screen, and FIG. 16B is an example of the information code re-displayed after the size reduction instruction for reducing the entire image as it is. It is explanatory drawing which shows. FIG. 17A is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of an image displayed on the display device, and FIG. 17B is an explanatory diagram illustrating how a region to be encoded is selected. FIG. 18A is an explanatory diagram for explaining a state in which an area to be coded is determined from an image displayed on the display device, and FIG. 18B shows an information code generated by the determination. It is explanatory drawing. FIG. 19 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an information code used in the information code utilization system according to the second embodiment, and FIG. 19 (A) is a diagram showing a state in which an empty area is left blank, and FIG. B) is a diagram showing an example in which characters are entered in the empty area. 20A is an explanatory diagram for explaining an example of the information code displayed on the display screen in the information code utilization system according to the second embodiment, together with the contents recorded in the information code. (B) is an explanatory view illustrating an example of the information code redisplayed after the size enlargement instruction, together with the contents recorded in the information code. FIG. 21 is an explanatory diagram conceptually showing the data structure of the data to be decoded in the information code of FIG. FIG. 22 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an information code used in the information code utilization system according to the third embodiment, and FIG. 22 (A) is a diagram showing a state in which an empty area is left blank, and FIG. B) is a diagram showing a state in which characters are entered in the empty area. FIG. 23 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an information code used in an information code utilization system according to another embodiment. FIG. 24 is an explanatory diagram illustrating another example of an information code used in an information code utilization system according to another embodiment. FIG. 25 is an explanatory diagram for explaining another example 2 of the information code used in the information code utilization system according to another embodiment.

[First embodiment]
Hereinafter, a first embodiment embodying the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
An information code utilization system 1 shown in FIG. 1 generates an information code 100 in which cells serving as units for displaying information within a predetermined code area are generated and can be displayed, and an information code display device 2 is configured to include the information code reading device 10 that reads the information code 100 generated in accordance with 2.

(Information code display device)
The information code display device 2 is configured as an information processing device such as a personal computer, a smartphone, or a tablet terminal, for example, and as shown in FIG. 1, a control unit 3 including a CPU, a keyboard, a mouse, and other input devices. An operation unit 4 comprising: a storage unit 5 comprising a storage device such as ROM, RAM, HDD, nonvolatile memory; a display unit 6 comprising a known display device (liquid crystal display or other display device); and an external device And a communication unit 7 functioning as a communication interface for performing wired communication or wireless communication. Although not shown in FIG. 1 and the like, a printing unit that can print the information code inside the display device 2 or in a form communicable with the display device 2 may be provided.

(Information code reader)
Next, the overall configuration of the information code reader 10 will be described. As shown in FIG. 2, the information code reader 10 is configured as a code reader capable of reading a two-dimensional code in terms of hardware, and an outer case is configured by a case (housing) (not shown). In which various electronic components are accommodated.

  The information code reader 10 mainly includes an optical system such as an illumination light source 21, a light receiving sensor 23, a filter 25, and an imaging lens 27, and a micro memory such as a memory 35, a control circuit 40, an operation switch 42, and a liquid crystal display 46. A computer (hereinafter referred to as “microcomputer”) system and a power system such as a power switch 41 and a battery 49 are configured. These components are mounted on a printed wiring board (not shown) or built in a case (not shown), and are integrally assembled to the case (housing).

  The optical system includes an illumination light source 21, a light receiving sensor 23, a filter 25, an imaging lens 27, and the like. The illumination light source 21 functions as an illumination light source capable of emitting illumination light Lf, and includes, for example, a red LED and a diffusion lens, a condensing lens, and the like provided on the emission side of the LED. In the present embodiment, illumination light sources 21 are provided on both sides of the light receiving sensor 23, and the illumination light Lf can be irradiated toward the reading object R through a reading port (not shown) formed in the case. It is configured. As the reading object R, for example, various objects such as a resin material and a metal material are conceivable, and for example, an information code 100 (described later) as shown in FIG. ing.

  The light receiving sensor 23 corresponds to an example of an “imaging unit” that can image the information code 100 (described later), and is configured to receive the reflected light Lr irradiated and reflected on the reading object R and the information code 100. Thus, for example, an area sensor in which light receiving elements, which are solid-state imaging elements such as C-MOS and CCD, are two-dimensionally arranged corresponds to this. The light receiving sensor 23 is mounted on a printed wiring board (not shown) so that incident light incident through the imaging lens 27 can be received by the light receiving surface 23a.

  The filter 25 is an optical low-pass filter that allows passage of light having a wavelength less than or equal to the wavelength of the reflected light Lr, for example, and can block passage of light exceeding the wavelength, and a reading port (not shown) formed in the case. And the imaging lens 27. Thereby, unnecessary light exceeding the wavelength equivalent of the reflected light Lr is prevented from entering the light receiving sensor 23. Further, the imaging lens 27 is constituted by, for example, a lens barrel and a plurality of condensing lenses accommodated in the lens barrel. In the present embodiment, the imaging lens 27 is provided at a reading port (not shown) formed in the case. The incident reflected light Lr is collected, and a code image of the information code 100 is formed on the light receiving surface 23 a of the light receiving sensor 23.

  The microcomputer system includes an amplification circuit 31, an A / D conversion circuit 33, a memory 35, an address generation circuit 36, a synchronization signal generation circuit 38, a control circuit 40, an operation switch 42, an LED 43, a buzzer 44, a liquid crystal display 46, and a communication interface 48. Etc. This microcomputer system is configured around a control circuit 40 and a memory 35 that can function as a microcomputer (information processing apparatus), and the image signal of the information code 100 captured by the optical system described above is signaled in hardware and software. It can be processed.

  An image signal (analog signal) output from the light receiving sensor 23 of the optical system is input to the amplification circuit 31 and amplified by a predetermined gain, and then input to the A / D conversion circuit 33, and the digital signal is converted from the analog signal. Is converted to The digitized image signal, that is, image data (image information) is input to the memory 35 and stored in the image data storage area of the memory 35. The synchronization signal generation circuit 38 is configured to generate a synchronization signal for the light receiving sensor 23 and the address generation circuit 36. The address generation circuit 36 is based on the synchronization signal supplied from the synchronization signal generation circuit 38. Thus, the storage address of the image data stored in the memory 35 can be generated.

  The memory 35 is composed of a semiconductor memory device or the like, and corresponds to, for example, a RAM (DRAM, SRAM, etc.) or a ROM (EPROM, EEPROM, etc.). In addition to the above-described image data storage area, the RAM of the memory 35 is configured to be able to secure a work area and a reading condition table that are used by the control circuit 40 in each processing such as arithmetic operation and logical operation. . The ROM stores in advance a predetermined program that can execute a reading process and the like that will be described later, and a system program that can control each piece of hardware such as the illumination light source 21 and the light receiving sensor 23.

  The control circuit 40 is a microcomputer capable of controlling the entire information code reader 10, and includes a CPU, a system bus, an input / output interface, and the like, and has an information processing function. Various input / output devices (peripheral devices) are connected to the control circuit 40 via a built-in input / output interface. In this embodiment, the power switch 41, the operation switch 42, the LED 43, the buzzer 44, A liquid crystal display 46, a communication interface 48, and the like are connected.

  The power supply system includes a power switch 41, a battery 49, and the like. When the power switch 41 managed by the control circuit 40 is turned on and off, the conduction of the drive voltage supplied from the battery 49 to each device and each circuit described above is established. Or shut off is controlled. The battery 49 is a secondary battery that can generate a predetermined DC voltage, and corresponds to, for example, a lithium ion battery.

(Information code)
Next, the information code 100 used in the information code utilization system of FIG. 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. The example of FIG. 1 and the example of the right side of FIG. 5 are slightly different in the cell arrangement and the size of the specific pattern, but the basic idea is the same and has the same characteristics. The information code 100 shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 5 is generated by, for example, the information code display device 2 described above, and has a configuration in which cells 102 serving as units for displaying information are arranged in a predetermined code area. It has become. In the information code 100 of FIGS. 1 and 5, the “code area” is a rectangular area that can include all of the plurality of dark cells arranged, and is the smallest square that includes all of the cells constituting the information code 100. It is a region or a rectangular region. Specifically, it is a minimum square area or rectangular area including all three position detection patterns (cutout symbols) 104. In the example of FIGS. 1 and 5, the plurality of cells 102 are configured by either a rectangular (for example, a square outer diameter) light (white) cell or a dark (black) cell, Within the code area, these cells 102 are arranged in a matrix around an empty area 110 described later. The light color cell and the dark color cell are not limited to the white cell and the black cell, respectively. When the dark color cell is configured with a predetermined lightness, the light color cell only needs to have a higher lightness. In the information code 100, a light or dark margin area is formed around the code area so as to surround the code area. In the examples of FIGS. A margin area (for example, another color having a lightness higher than that of a white or dark cell) is arranged adjacent to the periphery of the code area.

  The information code 100 includes data in a specific pattern area in which a specific pattern having a predetermined shape is arranged inside a rectangular code area (for example, a square shape or a rectangular shape), and a plurality of types of cells 102. A data recording area for recording and an error correction code recording area for recording an error correction code by a plurality of types of cells 102 are provided. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 5, the specific pattern of the information code 100 is, for example, a known predetermined model number of a QR code (registered trademark) (in the example of FIG. 5, a predetermined model number of a QR code standardized by JIS or the like). ), The position detection pattern (cutout symbol) 104 as the specific pattern is arranged at each of the three corners of the code area in the examples of FIGS. ing. Further, a timing pattern 106 and an alignment pattern 108 as specific patterns are also provided at predetermined positions in the predetermined model number. As described above, in the information code 100, a specific pattern (position detection pattern 104, timing pattern 106, alignment pattern 108 (not shown in FIG. 5)) having a predetermined shape is arranged at a predetermined position. . It should be noted that, within the code area, positions other than the empty area 110, which will be described later, are configured by such specific pattern areas, recording areas (areas consisting of either data recording areas or error correction code recording areas), and the like. Yes.

  The number of rows and columns of cells of the information code 100, the shape and position of a specific pattern, the position of format information, the codeword candidate position (address for specifying the arrangement order of codewords), etc. You may grasp. For example, a plurality of model numbers may be provided in the type of the information code 100. In this case, the number of rows and columns of cells, the shape and position of a specific pattern, the position of format information, and a code word are arranged for each model number. The candidate position (address) may be determined in advance. If the model number information for specifying the model number is arranged at a predetermined position (reserved area) in the code area, the reader device can determine the number of rows and columns of cells of the information code 100 based on the model number information. It becomes possible to grasp the shape and position of the specific pattern, the position of the format information, and the candidate position (address) of the code word. Note that the present invention is not limited to this method, and any other method may be used as long as the reader can grasp the method.

  Within the code area, the area other than the specific pattern area, data recording area, and error correction code recording area is an area where data is not recorded by the cell 102 and is not subject to error correction by the error correction code. A certain free area 110 is provided in a size larger than the size of the single cell 102. In the examples of FIGS. 1 and 5 and the like, the data recording area and the error correction code recording area are arranged in an annular and rectangular shape along the periphery of the code area, and the center of the code area (the center of the code area is defined). A free area 110 is formed in a predetermined area. The “area in which no data is recorded by the cell 102” means an area in which a code word such as a data code word and an error correction code word to be described later is not recorded, and an area in which format information is not recorded. To do. The “region not subject to error correction by the error correction code” means a region where error correction using the error correction code recorded in the error correction code recording region is not performed. Therefore, even if some information (additional information to be described later) is recorded in the empty area 110, error correction for the information is performed by the error correction code in the error correction code recording area existing around the empty area 110. Absent.

  In the following description, a configuration corresponding to the predetermined model number as shown in the right diagram of FIG. 5 is associated with another model number (Ver. Number) having a smaller size than the predetermined model number as illustrated in the left diagram of FIG. An example in which the position of each code word of the information code 100 in the right diagram of FIG. 5 and the position of each code word of the other code 120 in the left diagram of FIG. 5 are associated by the arrangement conversion table as shown in the lower diagram of FIG. Will be described as a representative example. In this example, the amount of data that can be stored in the other type code 120 in the left diagram of FIG. 5 can be expressed with the empty area 110 provided by the information code 100 as shown in the right diagram of FIG. Conversely, when the information code 100 shown in the right diagram of FIG. 5 is read, each code word of the information code 100 can be read as a code word of another type code 120 as shown in the left diagram of FIG. .

  In the right diagram of FIG. 5, each codeword area arranged around the empty area 110 is conceptually shown by a broken line frame or the like. An area (predetermined position 105) for recording format information is conceptually indicated by a predetermined type of hatching. In the right diagram of FIG. 5, in the area where the format information is recorded and the area where the code word is recorded, only the squares are shown, and the specific arrangement of light cells and dark cells is omitted. Further, in the example of the right diagram in FIG. 5, the interior of the empty area 110 (the central part of the code area) is also assigned to correspond to the cell arrangement, but the configuration of the empty area 110 is free, and FIG. It may be configured as described above, or may be other configurations.

  The format information (format information) is configured as shown in FIG. 6, for example, and is recorded at a predetermined position 105 (a predetermined type of hatching position) in the information code 100 with a specific format configuration. This format information includes correction level information for specifying an error correction level and mask number information for specifying a mask number. The correction level information is information for specifying an error correction level used in the information code 100, and corresponds to an error correction level used in the other type code 120 when the information is converted into the other type code 120 and read, for example. The mask number is information for specifying which mask type is the mask applied to the codeword area of the information code 100 (area in which the data codeword and error correction codeword are recorded).

  As shown in FIG. 6, the format information is recorded in a state reflecting a predetermined type of mask pattern (specific mask), and the format information is identified by identifying the mask type of the format information in the same manner as a known QR code. 5 It is possible to detect a specific code type (type provided with a free area 110) as shown in the right figure. For example, when the model 1 is configured as a QR code of a known standard, data (cell array) expressed when the model 1 mask is applied to the format information as shown in FIG. 6 is recorded at a predetermined position. However, when configured as the model 2, data (cell array) expressed when the model 2 mask is applied to the format information as shown in FIG. 6 is recorded at a predetermined position. . On the other hand, in the information code 100 of this embodiment shown in FIG. 5 (special type code having a free area 110), a specific mask of a different type from the models 1 and 2 (FIG. 6) for the format information as shown in FIG. Then, data (cell array) expressed when frame QR is used is recorded at a predetermined position 105. Then, in any of the types 1 and 2 of the known standard and the type of the information code 100, a check digit corresponding to the correction level (correction level information) and mask number (mask number information) to be recorded is added. Format information is configured, on which various types of masks can be applied. Specifically, mask processing is performed by a known method using various types of mask patterns, and the bit pattern after the mask processing is recorded at a predetermined position 105. Therefore, when the format information is subjected to a specific mask (for example, for frame QR in FIG. 6) and recorded at the predetermined position 105 as in the information code 100, the information recorded at the predetermined position 105 in this way is recorded. If the mask process is canceled and decoded based on the specific mask, the check digit is matched, so that the type of the information code 100 can be specified. On the contrary, even if the data at the predetermined position 105 of the information code 100 is removed based on the masks of the model 1 and model 2, the check digit does not match. be able to.

  In this information code 100, after detecting a specific pattern (position detection pattern 104, etc.) and specifying the code area, code direction, and each cell position in the same manner as the known QR code, the same as the known QR code. By decoding the predetermined position 105 where the format information is recorded by the method, it is possible to identify the type of the information code 100 (special type having the empty area 110) according to the type of the mask that has been successfully decoded. Then, the error correction level used in the information code 100 can be specified by the decoded format information, and applied to the code word area of the information code 100 (the area where the data code word and the error correction code word are recorded by the cell). It is possible to specify the mask type.

  The content recorded in the information code 100 has, for example, a configuration as shown in FIG. 3, header data (frame QR header) is set at the head of the data array, and input data (decryption target data) after the header data. ) Continues. In the example of FIG. 3, input data (data to be decoded) is compressed by, for example, a known method and converted into a data word (data code word). However, such compression may not be performed. Note that the header data used in the information code 100 is also referred to as a “frame QR header” in the following description. Further, in this specification, such an area for recording data words (data code words) of header data and input data (data to be decoded) and an area for recording the above-described format information correspond to “data recording areas”. To do. In the example of FIG. 3, as header data (frame QR header), another type code 120 (a code type used for decoding the information code 100, which will be described later), and the information code 100 according to the arrangement conversion table (FIG. 5). Information (identified as Ver. Number in FIG. 3) and identification information that can specify the format in the empty area are recorded. In the example of FIG. 3, as the header data, in addition to the type (Ver. Number) of other types of codes, it is specified that the format of the free area 110 is the image format shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 5, FIG. Information (first information) and information that can specify the position of the image (image area position) in the empty area 110 (“image area position information” corresponding to the second information) are recorded. Among these, the information (first information) for specifying that the format of the empty area 110 is an image format corresponds to an example of “identification information” indicating the presence of the image area. The information (second information) that can specify the position of the image in the empty area (image area position) corresponds to an example of “position data” indicating the position of the image area in the code area.

  In this configuration, the free area 110 functions as the image area 121. Therefore, in the following description, the empty area 110 is also referred to as an image area 121. In the example of FIGS. 3 and 5, information that can specify the column position and row position of the image area 121 is recorded as image area position information (position data). More specifically, a combination of the upper left row position and column position of the image area 121 when the information code 100 configured in a rectangular shape as shown in FIG. 5 is divided into a plurality of rows and columns in a grid pattern, A combination of a row position and a column position in the lower right of the image area 121 is recorded as image area position information (position data). Here, the combination of the upper left row position and the column position of the image area 121 and the lower right row position and the column position of the image area 121 are used as the image area position information (position data). A combination of the row position and the column position at each of the four corners may be used as image area position information (position data). Further, the width of each row and each column when the information code 100 is divided in a lattice shape as shown in FIG. 5 corresponds to the width in the row direction and the width in the column direction of a single cell, respectively.

  An error correction code word (ECC word) that becomes an error correction code follows the input data (data word that is data to be decoded). In the information code 100, an area for recording the error correction code is an error correction code recording area. Note that a method for generating an error correction code (error correction code word) based on a data word (in the example of FIG. 3, header data and input data (data to be decoded)) is a known two-dimensional code (such as a QR code). A method defined in the standard can be used. For example, as a method for generating an error correction codeword based on a data word (data codeword), an error correction codeword generation method (JISX0510: 2004, 8.5 error correction) defined in JISX0510: 2004 is used. be able to. Note that the method of generating the error correction codeword is not limited to this, and various known methods can be used.

  Further, in the information code 100, each data word (data code word) representing the data to be decoded (data code word) and an error correction code word are arranged in the code area based on predetermined arrangement position information. In this configuration, as shown in FIG. 5, the arrangement candidate positions of the respective code words are determined in advance within the code area of the information code 100, and a number (address) is assigned to each arrangement candidate position. The arrangement position information is information for specifying which arrangement candidate position each code word constituting the recording contents shown in FIG. 3 should be arranged. In the example of the right diagram in FIG. 5, the arrangement candidate positions Nos. 1 to 25 are schematically illustrated. In each arrangement candidate position, the first and last bit portions are numbered and clearly shown. In the right diagram of FIG. 5, the arrangement candidate positions after the 26th are omitted.

  Specifically, in the model number of the other type code 120 (known QR code) (the model number of the other type code 120 specified by the header data shown in FIG. 3), the code word in each order is included in the other type code 120. Whether or not to be arranged at a position is determined in advance by a known standard or the like, and when the other-type code 120 is decoded, the code words in each order are decoded based on the arrangement determined in this way. For example, in the example of the other type code 120 shown in the left diagram of FIG. 5, the 0th code word is arranged at the lower right, the first code word is arranged thereon, and the second code word is arranged thereon. The arrangement position of each code word is determined in advance. Therefore, when decoding this other type code 120, the 0th code word, the 1st code word, the 2nd code word, the 3rd code word, etc. based on the arrangement determined in this way. It will be deciphered in order.

  On the other hand, in the arrangement position information (arrangement conversion table) shown in FIG. 5, the numbers of the arrangement positions (arrangement positions of the code words in each order) determined in advance by the other type code 120 in this way are stored in advance in the information code 100. Each number is associated with a number of a determined candidate position (position candidate position of each code word). Specifically, “the arrangement position of the first code word in the other type code 120 corresponds to the first arrangement candidate position of the information code 100”, “the arrangement position of the second code word in the other type code 120 is information. Information such as “corresponding to the second arrangement candidate position of the code 100” and “the arrangement position of the third code word in the other type code 120 corresponds to the third arrangement candidate position of the information code 100” is, for example, table data Each code word is recorded, and the arrangement position of each numbered code word in the other type code 120 is associated with each arrangement candidate position of the information code 100. Thus, when the information code 100 is decoded, the code word (code word at each address) in each placement candidate position in the code area is associated with the placement position information (placement conversion table). The other-type code 120 may be rearranged at each arrangement position, and the other-type code 120 rearranged in this way may be decoded by a known method. For example, when the information code 100 is decoded using the arrangement conversion table shown in the lower diagram of FIG. 5, the code word at the first arrangement candidate position of the information code 100 is changed to the arrangement position of the first code word in the other type code 120. The code word at the second placement candidate position of the information code 100 is placed at the placement position of the second code word in the other code 120, and the code word at the Nth placement candidate position of the information code 100 is placed in the other kind. The code 120 is rearranged in such a manner as to be arranged at the arrangement position of the M-th code word associated with the N-th arrangement candidate position, and the other type code (re-arranged in this way) QR code) may be decoded by a known method. As for the above-described arrangement position information (arrangement conversion table), data common to the information code display device 2 that generates the information code 100 and the information code reader 10 that reads the information code 100 (common arrangement conversion table) are respectively provided. It is desirable to be provided.

  The correspondence relationship in the arrangement conversion table set as shown in FIG. 5 can be arbitrarily changed as shown in FIG. For example, when the arrangement conversion table set as shown in FIG. 5 in the information code display device 2 and the information code reading device 10 is changed as shown in FIG. 7, the generated information code 100 includes the 22nd to 23rd codes. The arrangement of words from the arrangement shown in the right figure of FIG. 5 (the arrangement recorded in the 22nd to 23rd arrangement candidate positions) to the arrangement shown in the right figure of FIG. 7 (the arrangement recorded in the 42nd to 43rd arrangement candidate positions). As a result, the position and shape of the empty area 110 also change. In this case, the arrangement candidate positions Nos. 22 to 23 may be empty areas, or arrangement positions of other code words. That is, in this configuration, the position and shape of the empty area 110 can be adjusted by adjusting the arrangement conversion table, and the degree of freedom in configuring the empty area can be further increased.

(Information code generation process)
Next, basic processing for generating the above-described information code will be described with reference to FIG. In the following, a case where the other type code 120 is a QR code (registered trademark) and the information code 100 has a specific pattern similar to the QR code as shown in FIG. 5 will be described as an example. In this example, the information code 100 having the free area 110 is also referred to as “frame QR”.

  The information code generation process of FIG. 8 is a process performed by the information code display device 2 that functions as an information code generation device, for example. In the configuration in which the processing of FIG. 8 is performed by the display device 2, for example, the processing of FIG. 8 is executed when a predetermined operation is performed on the operation unit 4. In this processing, first, data to be encoded from outside (decoding target data), attribute data, and code type data (information code 100 is generated, or a general two-dimensional code (for example, a general QR code) is generated. (Data specifying whether to generate) (S1). In this configuration, the control unit 3 and the operation unit 4 correspond to an example of a “data acquisition unit” and function to acquire data to be decoded (input data from the outside). Further, the present invention is not limited to such an example. For example, the control unit 3 and the communication unit 7 may be configured as a “data acquisition unit” and function to acquire data input from outside through communication as decryption target data. Good.

  After acquiring the data in S1, a method for compressing the acquired data is determined by a known method (S2), and the compressed data (decoded data) is expressed by a plurality of data words (data code words). (S3). After S3, it is determined whether or not the code type data acquired in S1 is the type (frame QR) of the information code 100 having the free area 110. If the code type data acquired in S1 is the type (frame QR) of the information code 100 having the free area 110, the process proceeds to Yes in S4, and the type of the information code 100 having the free area 110 (frame QR). ) Is generated and set at the head of the data array including a plurality of data words as shown in FIG. 3 (S5). In the header data of FIG. 3, as described above, information (version number information etc.) that can specify the type (model number) of the other type code 120 shown in the right diagram of FIG. Information specifying the presence (first information) and information that can specify an image area (writable position) in the empty area 110 (“image area position information” corresponding to the second information) are recorded. It will be. On the other hand, when the code type data acquired in S1 is not the type (frame QR) of the information code 100 having the empty area 110 (data for selecting a general two-dimensional code (for example, selecting model 1 or model 2) If (data), the process proceeds to No in S4.

  When the process proceeds to No in S4, an error correction code is generated by a known method based on the configuration of the data word (data code word) generated in S3, and a plurality of error correction words (error correction) representing the error correction code are generated. Codeword) is generated (S6). On the other hand, when proceeding from S4 to S5, an error correction code is generated by a known method based on the configuration of the final data word (a plurality of data code words representing header data and input data) generated in S3 and S5. Then, a plurality of error correction words (error correction code words) representing the error correction code are generated (S6).

  After S6, it is determined whether or not the code type data acquired in S1 is the type (frame QR) of the information code 100 having the free area 110 (S7), and the code type data acquired in S1 is If it is not the type (frame QR) of the information code 100 having the free area 110, the process proceeds to No in S7, and a two-dimensional code (for example, QR code) is generated by a known method. When the process proceeds to No in S7, the model number of the two-dimensional code having a size capable of storing the data word (data code word) generated in S3 and the error correction word (error correction code word) generated in S6 (in this example, In a plurality of standardized known QR code model numbers, a model number of a size that can store the data word generated in S3 and the error correction word generated in S6) is determined, and the arrangement predetermined by the model number is determined. According to the pattern, the data word generated in S3 and the error correction word generated in S6 are arranged (S9).

  On the other hand, when the code type data acquired in S1 is the type (frame QR) of the information code 100 having the empty area 110, the process proceeds to Yes in S7, and the data word (data) generated in S3 and S5 (Code word), the error correction word (error correction code word) generated in S6, and the empty area, the model number of the information code 100 that can be stored is determined (S10). Note that the size of the empty area may be a predetermined fixed size, or may be designated by an input or the like by the user before S10. Further, the size of the empty area may be specified by the number of rows and the number of columns, or may be specified by information such as how many words it corresponds to, or how many cells it corresponds. In the example of FIGS. 5 and 8, for example, in a plurality of model numbers (sizes) determined in advance by the type of the information code 100, the data word (data code word) generated in S3 and S5 and the error correction generated in S6 A model number of a size that can store a word (error correction code word) and an empty area is determined. When a plurality of model numbers can be used in the type of the information code 100, the number of rows and the number of columns, the shape and layout of a specific pattern, the layout of format data, and the layout candidate position of each code word are provided for each model number. It should be determined. Also, in any model number, the arrangement candidate positions of the respective code words are determined in order from the outer circumference side as shown in the right diagram of FIG. 5 (for example, the arrangement candidate positions are set in a spiral shape from the outer circumference side to the inside). The placement candidate position of each code word is determined so that the placement candidate position with a smaller number is located outside, and a portion where the code word is not placed (that is, a portion that is not used) among the prepared placement candidate positions. If it uses, it becomes easy to ensure a large empty area | region by the center part. In addition, when there are a plurality of model numbers having a size capable of storing the data word (data code word) generated in S3 and S5, the error correction word (error correction code word) generated in S6, and the empty area, The smallest model number (size) may be determined from among them, or the user may be able to specify any model number (size) from among them. When the information code 100 is generated, a predetermined size (number of rows and columns), a specific pattern arrangement, and each arrangement position position of the codeword are used in the model number thus determined. The arrangement position of each code word is determined according to the above-described arrangement conversion table. In the following, an example in which the model number as shown in the right diagram of FIG. 5 is determined in S10 will be specifically described.

  After S10, the data word (data code word) generated in S3 and S5 and the error correction word (error correction code word) generated in S6 are arranged based on the arrangement position information (arrangement conversion table) described above. It will be. In the information code display device 2, the above-described arrangement position information (arrangement conversion table) is stored in the storage unit 5. (Order position of code word) is associated with a predetermined candidate position (position candidate position of each code word) in information code 100, respectively. In the process of S11, the code words to be recorded (the data words (data code words) generated in S3 and S5 and the error correction words (error correction code words) generated in S6) are shown in the left of FIGS. Is represented by another code 120 (a two-dimensional code having a size smaller than that of the information code 100 and a size capable of storing the data word generated in S3 and S5 and the error correction word generated in S6). After specifying the arrangement position of each code word (code word in each order), the code word in each order is associated with the arrangement position of the code word in each order by arrangement position information (arrangement conversion table). It arrange | positions in each arrangement | positioning candidate position in the information code 100. FIG. For example, in the arrangement position information (arrangement conversion table) in FIG. 5, the arrangement position of the first code word in the other type code 120 is associated with the first arrangement candidate position of the information code 100. The first code word of the code words to be recorded (the data word generated in S3 and S5 and the error correction word generated in S6) is arranged at the first arrangement candidate position in the information code 100. In addition, since the second code word arrangement position in the other-type code 120 and the second arrangement candidate position of the information code 100 are associated with each other, the second code word in the code words to be recorded Is placed at the second candidate position in the information code 100. In this way, the arrangement position (an arrangement position of the Nth code word) in the other type code 120 in which the Nth code word is arranged in the codeword to be recorded and the Mth arrangement candidate position of the information code 100 are as follows. If they are associated, the Nth codeword among the codewords to be recorded is arranged at the Mth arrangement candidate position in the information code 100.

  That is, only the data word generated in S3 and S5 and the error correction word generated in S6 can be expressed by another type code 120 (configured as a known QR code) smaller than the information code 100. When the data word generated in S3, S5, the error correction word generated in S6, and the empty area 110 are stored, it must be expressed by the information code 100 having a larger size. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the data word generated in S3 and S5, the error correction word generated in S6, and the empty area 110 are represented by the information code 100 having a size larger than the other type code 120, and S3 and S5. The data word generated in step S6 and the error correction word generated in step S6 are stored in the arrangement of the code words when expressed by another type code 120 (known QR code) and the information code 100 having a size larger than this. In this case, the correspondence relationship with each arrangement of codewords can be specified by a predetermined arrangement conversion table.

  In this configuration, the “arrangement conversion table” as shown in FIG. 5 corresponds to an example of “arrangement position information for specifying each arrangement position when a plurality of data words expressing the data to be decoded are arranged in the code area”. The arrangement conversion table (arrangement position information) includes data words in each order when the data to be decoded is expressed by a plurality of data words, and each arrangement position in the code area of the data words in each order. Are configured as information determined in association with each other. The storage unit 5 corresponds to an example of an “arrangement position information recording unit” and functions to record data (arrangement position information) of such an arrangement conversion table.

  After S9 or S11, a mask pattern to be applied to the code word whose location is determined in S9 or S11 is determined by a known predetermined method (for example, a known method used in QR code), and the determined mask Masking is performed by a known mask processing method so that the pattern is reflected in the code word whose location is determined in S9 or S11 (S12). Then, the check digit is calculated based on the mask pattern information (mask number) and error correction level information set in S12, and the format information including the error correction level, mask number, and check digit is generated as shown in FIG. (S13). Note that data such as a mask number and an error correction level to be recorded as format information may be input in S1.

  If the code type data acquired in S1 is the type (frame QR) of the information code 100 having the free area 110, the process proceeds to Yes in S14, and the format information generated in S13 includes the above-described format information. Mask processing is performed to reflect the specific mask (frame QR mask) (see FIG. 6). On the other hand, if the code type data acquired in S1 is not the type (frame QR) of the information code 100 having the empty area 110, the process proceeds to No in S14, and the mask pattern is different from the mask pattern set in S16. Set the mask (model 1 mask or model 2 mask). After masking the format information in S15 or S16, the format information after the mask processing is arranged at a predetermined position 105 in the code area (S17).

  After the specific pattern area, the data recording area, and the error correction area are thus configured, the constituent elements of the empty area 110 are arranged (S18). In the example of FIG. 3, since the position of the image area is designated by the row position and the column position, respectively, the graphic data of the image area 121 is arranged at the designated position in S18. In the example shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, for example, the figure of the image area 121 is a rectangular figure (for example, a square figure in which the entire area is composed of a single-color or multiple-colored light background). In S18, each graphic is arranged so that the upper left position and lower right position of the graphic determined in this way are the positions specified by the header data.

  In the above example, the position of the image area (position of the image area), the shape and color, the shape and color of the identification display, etc. included in the header data of FIG. 3 are determined in advance. The user may be able to specify by input.

  The information code generation process is performed according to the above flow. Note that after the information code 100 or another two-dimensional code is generated, the code may be printed by a printing unit (not shown). Instead of printing, the information code 100 or the like is displayed on the display unit 6. Alternatively, the data of the information code 100 generated by the processing up to S17 may be transmitted to an external device (for example, an information device such as a portable terminal or a computer).

  In this configuration, the control unit 3 of the information code display device 2 corresponds to an example of a “data recording area generation unit”. When the empty area 110 is provided inside the code area of the information code 100, the control section 3 is located at a predetermined position in the code area. Based on the arrangement position information recorded in the arrangement position information recording unit, the format information is recorded in a specific format configuration, and each data word representing the decoding target data (input data) acquired by the data acquisition unit is expressed. A data recording area is generated so as to be arranged. In addition, in the “data recording area generation unit” configured by the control unit 3, when the empty area 110 is provided inside the code area, the cell array at the predetermined position 105 reflects a predetermined type of mask pattern (specific mask). Is configured.

(Information code reading process)
Next, processing when the information code 100 shown in the right diagram of FIG. 1 and FIG. 5 is read by the information code reader 10 of FIG. 2 will be described. The reading process in FIG. 9 is executed, for example, when a predetermined operation (for example, operation of the operation switch 42) is performed by the user. First, the two-dimensional code in the imaging area of the light receiving sensor 23 is imaged. Thus, the captured image of the two-dimensional code is acquired and the shape of the two-dimensional code is detected. Specifically, a known method is used to recognize the position detection pattern 104 and detect the outer shape of the two-dimensional code. For example, the position detection pattern 104 is detected by a known method for detecting a 1: 1: 3: 1: 1 waveform, which is performed with a QR code (registered trademark), and the outer shape of the imaged two-dimensional code is displayed as a QR code. Detection is performed by a known method performed by (registered trademark). When such an outer shape detection process is performed, when the information code 100 is captured, the outer shape of the information code 100 is detected. Note that the outer shape detection method may be another method as long as it can detect the shape of a specific pattern or the outer shape of a two-dimensional code.
In this configuration, the light receiving sensor 23 corresponds to an example of an “imaging unit”, and functions to image the information code 100 generated by the information code display device 2.

  When the outer shape of the information code 100 is detected and the code area of the information code 100 can be extracted, the information (format information) at the predetermined position 105 of the information code 100 is decoded, and the type and mask correction of the captured information code A level is acquired (S40). Specifically, for example, the information recorded at the predetermined position 105 as described above is released from the mask processing based on the above-described specific mask (frame QR mask), and is attempted to be decoded. When the check digit matches when the mask processing is canceled by the above-described method for canceling the mask of the specific mask (that is, calculated based on the correction level data and the mask number data when the predetermined position 105 is decoded) When the check digit matches the check digit recorded at the predetermined position 105), it is possible to specify the type of the information code 100 (the type having the free area 110), and an error included in the format information The correction level and mask number can also be acquired. When the mask processing can be canceled based on the specific mask as described above (that is, when it is recognized that the information code 100 is the type (frame QR)), the process proceeds to Yes in S41. On the other hand, when the mask processing can be canceled by a mask other than a specific mask (mask for frame QR) such as the mask for model 1 and the mask for model 2 shown in FIG. 6, the process proceeds to No in S41. When the mask process can be canceled by another mask, the two-dimensional code imaged in S40 is a case of a known QR code (registered trademark). Will be decoded and the decoding result will be output. In FIG. 9, the process in the case of No in S41 is omitted.

  When the process proceeds to Yes in S41, first, the data recorded in the data recording area is decoded (S42). Specifically, based on the mask number included in the format information acquired in S40, the mask of the entire code (specifically, the area of the code word) is released. Based on the header data (frame QR header) provided at the beginning of the data word, the original code size (the model number and format of the other type code 120) is specified, 5 Return from the information code 100 as shown in the right figure to the original code (another code 120) as shown in the left figure. Specifically, the code word (data code word and error correction code word) of each arrangement candidate position of the information code 100 is arranged in the other type code 120 associated with each arrangement candidate position in the arrangement conversion table. Reposition to the position. By performing the arrangement conversion in this way, another type code 120 in which the data code word and the error correction code word arranged in the information code 100 are recorded is obtained. Since the other type code 120 is a known QR code, the data is decoded in the same manner as the known QR code (that is, error correction calculation is performed by a known method based on the error correction code word). Decode the data code word).

  In this configuration, the control circuit 40 corresponds to an example of a “determination unit”, and when the information code 100 is captured by the imaging unit, it is determined whether or not the predetermined position 105 in the code area has a specific format configuration. To function. Specifically, it functions to determine whether or not a predetermined type of mask pattern (specific mask) is reflected at the predetermined position 105.

  The control circuit 40 corresponds to an example of a “data recording area reading unit” and a “decoding unit”. When the information code 100 is captured by the imaging unit, the data recording area in the code image of the captured information code 100 And functions to read data recorded in the data recording area based on the contents of the error correction code recording area. Specifically, when the determination unit determines that the predetermined position 105 has a specific format configuration (more specifically, when a predetermined type of mask pattern is reflected at the predetermined position 105), the correspondence information recording unit The position of each data word in the code area is specified based on the correspondence information (arrangement conversion table) recorded in (1), and the decoding target data is decrypted.

  The arrangement conversion table corresponds to an example of “correspondence information”, and a data word in each order represented by each arrangement position in the code area is determined in advance in another type code 120 different from the information code 100. It is configured as information for determining each corresponding position in the other type code 120 when expressed in (for example, a method defined in a known standard or the like). Then, when the determination unit determines that the predetermined position 105 has a specific format configuration, the control circuit 40 corresponding to the decoding unit converts the data word in each order represented by each arrangement position of the code area to the correspondence information The other-type code 120 functions in such a manner as to be replaced with each corresponding position in the other-type code 120 defined in (1).

  After decoding the data in the data recording area in S42, the format information included in the header data (frame QR header) is read. If the format information is format information indicating "image format", the process proceeds to Yes in S44. For other formats, the process proceeds to No in S44. In FIG. 9, the process in the case where the process proceeds to No in S44 is omitted.

  When the process proceeds to Yes in S44 (that is, when the format information included in the header data (frame QR header) is format information indicating “image format”), the image area position information (position data) included in the header data is read. (S45). Then, the position of the image area in the information code 100 is specified (S46). Specifically, in this configuration, it is assumed that a rectangular image region is formed, and in S46, the code image is analyzed to specify the positions of the four corners of the image region in the code image. For example, when position information (for example, a combination of a column position and a row position at each position of the four corners) of the image area is recorded as the image area position information (position data), the position data of the four corners of the image area is recorded. The position can be specified. In this case, the position data corresponds to position specifying data indicating the position of a region to be recognized by the image processing unit. After specifying the positions of the four corners of the image area in S46, predetermined image processing is performed on the specified image area (S47). Note that a reading method that omits the processing after S44 may be used.

(Information code display processing)
Next, information code display processing will be described.
The above-described information code can be displayed on the display device 2 or other display devices, and can be re-displayed by changing the size of the entire information code or a part of the elements by operation. Yes. In the following description, the display device 2 is taken as a representative example, and display processing is described in detail.

  For example, in the display device 2, the control unit 3 operates based on a program stored in the storage unit 5, and performs display processing according to a flow as illustrated in FIG. 10. This display process is executed by the control unit 3 when a predetermined condition is satisfied in the display device 2 (for example, when a predetermined start operation is performed on the operation unit), and first, an information code is displayed (S101). ). For example, image data of a plurality of information codes is stored inside the display device 2, and a predetermined instruction operation for instructing to display an image of the information code 100 shown in FIG. 4 is performed, the control unit 3 reads the image of the information code 100 stored in the storage unit 5 and displays it on the display unit 6 (S101).

  As described above, the information code 100 includes an area (cell arrangement area) in which cells serving as units for displaying information are arranged and an empty area 110, and the empty area 110 is an image other than a cell. Is functioning as at least an image area 121 to be displayed. In S101, the information code 100 including such an image area 121 can be displayed on the display unit 6.

  After the information code 100 is displayed in S101, the process waits until there is an instruction to change the displayed information code. Specifically, after the process of S101, the process of S102 is performed to determine whether or not an enlargement instruction or a reduction instruction for the image has been issued. Then, after S101, while the enlargement instruction or the reduction instruction for the image is not made, the determination of No is repeated in S102. On the other hand, if an enlargement or reduction instruction is given to the image after S101, the process proceeds to Yes in S102. Specifically, when a predetermined operation (for example, a right click operation on the mouse or an operation of touching the touch panel for a long time) is performed with the information code 100 as shown in FIG. 11 being displayed, A selection image as shown in FIG. 11 is displayed, and any item can be selected from the items displayed on the selection image. If either “enlargement / reduction as image” or “enlarge the internal image to the maximum” is selected, the process proceeds to Yes in S102.

  The selected image in FIG. 11 includes an item “magnification” as information for specifying how much the image is to be changed with respect to the image already displayed, and is set in the item “magnification”. It is supposed to be changed to the ratio that is. Specifically, when either “Enlargement / reduction as an image” or “Enlarge the internal image to the maximum” is selected in the state where a numerical value is input in the “Magnification” item, The display is changed so as to change the size of the information code already displayed at the ratio of the numerical value set in the item.

  For example, if the “magnification” is 120%, when “enlargement / reduction as an image” or “enlargement of the internal image to the maximum” is selected, information already displayed as shown in FIG. The information code is expanded so that the vertical length is expanded to 120% and the horizontal length is expanded to 120% with respect to the code size. For example, when “magnification / reduction as an image” is selected in a state where “magnification” is larger than 100%, the information code displayed as shown in FIG. Enlarge as shown in 13 (B). At this time, the code as a whole is expanded integrally so that the information code before expansion and the information code after expansion are similar. On the other hand, when “maximum enlargement of internal image” is selected in a state where “magnification” is larger than 100%, the information code displayed as shown in FIG. Enlarge as shown in FIG. In this enlargement process, the display unit 6 after the size enlargement instruction is larger than the ratio of the image area to the entire information code in the information code (for example, FIG. 12A) displayed on the display unit 6 before the size enlargement instruction. The ratio of the image area to the entire information code in the information code (for example, FIG. 12B) displayed in is larger.

  If the “magnification” is 80%, when “enlargement / reduction as an image” or “enlargement of the internal image to the maximum” is selected, information already displayed as shown in FIG. The information code is reduced so that the vertical length is reduced to 80% and the horizontal length is reduced to 80% with respect to the code size. For example, when “magnification / reduction as image” is selected in a state where “magnification” is smaller than 100%, the information code displayed as shown in FIG. Reduce as shown in 16 (B). At this time, the code as a whole is integrally reduced so that the information code before reduction and the information code after reduction are similar. On the other hand, when “maximum enlargement of internal image” is selected in a state where a value smaller than 100% is specified for “magnification”, the information code displayed as shown in FIG. The image is reduced as shown in FIG. In this reduction process, the display unit 6 after the size reduction instruction is more than the ratio of the image area to the entire information code in the information code (for example, FIG. 12A) displayed on the display unit 6 before the size reduction instruction. The ratio of the image area to the entire information code in the information code (for example, FIG. 12B) displayed in is larger.

  When either “Enlargement / reduction as image” or “Maximize internal image” is selected, the process proceeds to Yes in S102, or “Maximize internal image” is selected. Advances to Yes in S103. Conversely, if “enlargement / reduction as image” is selected, the process proceeds to No in S103.

  When the process proceeds to Yes in step S103, a model number corresponding to the magnification designated in the “magnification” item is newly determined. In this system, a plurality of model numbers of information codes are prepared, and the number of columns and rows of cells are determined for each model number. In S104, first, the number of columns and rows of cells in the case where the information code before display is changed to the magnification specified in the item of “magnification” and the cell size before and after the change is made the same. Find the model number that will be the number of columns and rows.

  First, the case of enlarging the size of the entire code when proceeding to Yes in S103 will be described. For example, when the number of cells and the number of rows of the information code before display are 37 rows and 37 columns and 150% is selected in the item of “magnification”, the length and length of the information code are maintained while maintaining the same cell size. A model number that selects the number of rows and columns of cells (for example, 56 rows and 56 columns) when the horizontal length is about 150% is selected. Then, the information code is generated by the method shown in FIG. 8 so as to generate the information code of this model number. Further, when generating this information code, a new information code is regenerated so that all the decoded data and error correction data recorded in the information code before display are recorded, and thus the decoded data and The image area is arranged within a range that can be arranged to the maximum with a configuration including all error correction data. For example, when the decoded data and error correction data recorded in the information code as shown in FIG. 12A are represented by a large configuration having the same cell size as shown in FIG. 12B, the decoded data and error correction data in the entire code. Since the ratio required for recording is smaller than the ratio shown in FIG. 12A, a larger image area can be formed accordingly.

  If “Maximize internal image” is selected when the magnification is “100%”, only the internal image can be expanded to the maximum without changing the size of the information code. Good.

  As described above, in this configuration, when the reception unit receives a size expansion instruction for increasing the overall size or the size of the image area than the information code displayed on the display unit before the change instruction, the size expansion is performed. The ratio of the image area to the entire information code in the new information code is determined so as to be larger than the ratio of the image area to the entire information code in the information code displayed on the display unit before the instruction. Furthermore, in this configuration, when a size enlargement instruction for increasing the overall size of the information code is accepted by the accepting unit, the size of the image area in the information code displayed on the display unit before the size enlargement instruction is received. The internal configuration of the new information code is determined so that the ratio of the cell size to the size of the image area in the new information code is smaller than the ratio of the cell size to. Specifically, when the size enlargement instruction is accepted by the accepting unit, the configuration determining unit determines that the cell size is the same as the cell size in the information code displayed on the display unit before the size enlargement instruction. The internal structure of the new information code is determined so as to have an arrayed structure.

  Next, a case where the size of the entire code is reduced when proceeding to Yes in S103 will be described. For example, when the number of cells and the number of rows of information code before display are 37 rows and 37 columns and 70% is selected in the item of “magnification”, the vertical and horizontal lengths of the information code are set to 70%. In such a state, the number of rows and columns of cells arranged when the cell size is set to a predetermined minimum size is calculated, and the model number corresponding to the number of rows and columns is selected. Then, the information code is generated by the method shown in FIG. 8 so as to generate the information code of this model number. Further, when generating this information code, a new information code is regenerated so that all the decoded data and error correction data recorded in the information code before display are recorded, and thus the decoded data and The image area is arranged within a range that can be arranged to the maximum with a configuration including all error correction data. When regenerating in this way, if the cell size in the newly generated information code is reduced as shown in FIG. 15B, the ratio of the image area to the entire code is increased even if the code size is reduced. can do.

  As described above, in this configuration, when a size reduction instruction for reducing the size of the information code 100 displayed on the display unit 6 before the change instruction is received, the display unit 6 before the size reduction instruction is received. The information in the new information code (for example, FIG. 15B) so as to be larger than the ratio of the image area to the entire information code in the information code 100 (for example, FIG. 15A) displayed in FIG. Determine the ratio of the image area to the entire code. Further, in this configuration, when a size reduction instruction is received, the ratio of the cell size to the size of the image area in the information code 100 displayed on the display unit 6 before the size reduction instruction is more than. The internal configuration of the new information code 100 is determined so that the ratio of the cell size to the size of the image area in the new information code 100 is smaller. Is received, the internal configuration of the new information code 100 is determined so that the cells are smaller than the cells of the information code 100 displayed on the display unit 6 before the size reduction instruction. doing.

  When the process proceeds to No in S103 (that is, when “enlarge / reduce as image” is selected), the code image is enlarged or reduced in S108. In this processing, the entire code is enlarged or reduced as a whole so that the information code before enlargement or reduction and the information code after enlargement or reduction have a similar shape. For example, when the magnification is larger than 100%, as shown in FIGS. 13A to 13B, the entire code is enlarged in a similar shape, and when the magnification is smaller than 100%, FIG. As shown in FIG. 16A to FIG. 16B, the entire code is reduced in a similar manner.

  After a new information code 100 (frame QR) is generated in S105, or after a new code image is generated in S108, the generated information code 100 is displayed on the display unit 6 (S106). . Then, it is determined whether or not the display process is to be ended (S107). If a predetermined operation for ending the display process is performed, the process of FIG. If an instruction or a reduction instruction is given, the process proceeds to No in S107, and the determination process in S102 is performed.

  In this configuration, the operation unit 4 and the control unit 3 correspond to an example of a reception unit, and can accept a change instruction to change the entire size of the information code displayed on the display unit 6 or the size of some elements. It is configured. Further, in this configuration, the control unit 3 corresponds to an example of a generation unit, and when the change instruction is received by the reception unit after the information code is displayed on the display unit 6, the display unit is displayed before the change instruction. 6 is performed so as to generate a new information code in which at least the recorded content of the information code displayed in 6 is recorded and the image of the image area is represented, according to the change instruction.

  The control unit 3 that performs the processes of S103 and S104 corresponds to an example of a ratio determination unit. When generating a new information code having contents according to a change instruction, the information code with the new information code is used. It functions to determine the ratio of the image area to the whole. More specifically, the operation unit 4 and the control unit 3 corresponding to the reception unit can receive a predetermined ratio designation instruction, and the ratio determination unit has received a predetermined ratio designation instruction by the reception unit. In this case, the ratio of the image area to the entire information code in the new information code functions to be a predetermined maximum ratio.

  Further, the control unit 3 corresponds to an example of a configuration determination unit, and determines the internal configuration of a new information code so that the content corresponds to the change instruction according to the ratio of the image area determined by the ratio determination unit. To work. More specifically, in this system, when generating the information code 100, a plurality of types of model numbers having different combinations of the number of rows and the number of columns of cells are prepared, and the structure determination unit A new model number is determined based on the recorded contents of the information code displayed on the display unit and the change instruction, and a new model number is determined based on the determined model number and the ratio of the image area determined by the ratio determination unit. The internal structure is determined by a simple information code. The display unit 6 functions to display the new information code with the internal configuration determined by the configuration determination unit when the generation unit generates a new information code.

  Further, in this configuration, the information code displayed on the display unit before the change instruction is configured as the above-described frame QR, and a specific pattern area in which a specific pattern having a predetermined shape is arranged inside the code area A data recording area representing data to be decoded by a plurality of types of cells, an error correction data recording area in which error correction data for performing error correction in the data recording area is recorded, and data to be decoded are not recorded and data And an image area configured as an area where error correction data for performing error correction in the recording area is not recorded. Then, the structure determination unit includes a first area in which the fixed pattern is arranged in the code area, a second area in which at least the decoding target data recorded in the data recording area is recorded, and error correction in the second area A third area in which error correction data for recording is recorded, and an area in which no data to be decoded is recorded and error correction data for performing error correction in the second area are not recorded. An internal configuration of a new information code (new frame QR) is determined in a form provided with a fourth area in which an image enlarged or reduced by a predetermined method is represented.

(Example of effects of this configuration)
In this configuration, it is possible to accept a change instruction for changing the overall size of the information code displayed on the display unit or the size of a partial element. Then, when generating a new information code having contents according to the change instruction, a ratio determining unit that determines a ratio of the image area to the entire information code in the new information code, and an image determined by the ratio determining unit A configuration determination unit is provided that determines the internal configuration of a new information code so that the content corresponds to the change instruction according to the ratio of the area. And a display part becomes a structure which displays a new information code by the internal structure determined by the structure determination part, when the process which produces | generates a new information code is performed by the production | generation part.
According to this configuration, by giving the display device a change instruction for changing the overall size of the information code displayed on the display device or the size of the partial element, the entire size of the information code or the partial code A new information code can be generated and displayed by changing the size. When a new information code is generated / displayed, the ratio of the image area to the entire information code is newly determined and the internal configuration according to the ratio can be set. In some cases, a novel display change can be made in a form that could not be achieved with a configuration in which the ratio of the image area to the entire code is sometimes fixed.

In addition, when the reception unit receives a size expansion instruction that increases the overall size or the size of the image area than the information code displayed on the display unit before the change instruction, the ratio determination unit The ratio of the image area to the entire information code in the new information code is determined so as to be larger than the ratio of the image area to the entire information code in the information code displayed on the display unit.
Because of this configuration, the user gives a size enlargement instruction to the display device, so that the user can create a new one with a larger overall size or image area size than the information code displayed before the instruction. An information code can be generated and displayed. Moreover, the ratio of the image area to the entire information code with the new information code is changed to be larger than the ratio of the image area to the entire information code with the information code displayed on the display unit before the instruction. Therefore, a merit for the user who wants to reconstruct the information code in a form in which the image area is greatly emphasized is greatly increased.

In addition, when the receiving unit receives a size enlargement instruction for increasing the overall size of the information code, the structure determination unit increases the size of the image area in the information code displayed on the display unit before the size enlargement instruction. The internal configuration of the new information code is determined so that the ratio of the cell size to the size of the image area in the new information code is smaller than the ratio of the cell size to the size.
In this configuration, when the size enlargement instruction is given, the ratio of the cell size to the size of the image area is reduced, so that the data represented by the cell array before the instruction is represented. This cell array area can be made smaller than before the instruction, and it becomes easier to allocate the reduced area required for data to enlarge the image area. Therefore, it is more advantageous when it is desired to enlarge the image area as much as possible while ensuring data recording.

In addition, when the size enlargement instruction is accepted by the accepting unit, the configuration determining unit arranges cells having the same size as the cell size in the information code displayed on the display unit before the size enlargement instruction. An internal configuration with a new information code is determined so as to have a structure.
In this configuration, when the size enlargement instruction is given, the entire size of the code can be increased without changing the cell size. Easier to assign for expansion. Moreover, since the cell size is the same between the information code before the instruction and the new information code after the instruction, the cell size does not become unexpected before and after the change, and the state of the cell is as much as possible. This is more advantageous when it is desired to enlarge the code and the image area without changing them.

In addition, when the reception unit receives a size reduction instruction that reduces the size of the information code that was displayed on the display unit before the change instruction, the ratio determination unit displays the display unit before the size reduction instruction. The ratio of the image area to the entire information code in the new information code is determined so as to be larger than the ratio of the image area to the entire information code in the displayed information code.
With this configuration, the user generates a new information code in a form in which the overall size is smaller than the information code displayed before the instruction by giving a size reduction instruction to the display device. Can be displayed. In addition, there is a concern that the image area may be significantly reduced by simply reducing the code. However, in this configuration, the image area for the entire information code in the information code displayed on the display unit before the instruction is given. The ratio of the image area with respect to the entire information code in the new information code can be changed to be larger than the ratio of the image area. Therefore, the image area is emphasized as much as possible while reducing the code size. It becomes possible to reconstruct the information code.

In addition, when the size reduction instruction is received by the reception unit, the structure determination unit has a structure in which cells smaller than information code cells displayed on the display unit before the size reduction instruction are arranged. Determine the internal structure with the new information code.
According to this configuration, when a size reduction instruction is given, the size of the entire code can be changed and displayed again. In this case, the image area can be reduced by reducing the cell size with the new information code as much as possible. The occupation ratio can be increased.

In addition, when the size reduction instruction is received by the reception unit, the structure determination unit is a ratio of the cell size to the size of the image area in the information code displayed on the display unit before the size reduction instruction. Instead, the internal configuration with the new information code is determined so that the ratio of the cell size to the size of the image area with the new information code becomes smaller.
In this configuration, when generating and displaying a new information code corresponding to the size reduction instruction (information code with the overall size reduced), the degree of cell reduction is increased, and the degree of image area reduction is suppressed. Since the size is changed, the code can be reduced and displayed in a form in which the ratio of the image area is reliably increased as compared with the case where the image area and the size of the cell are kept constant.

Further, in this configuration, the reception unit can receive a predetermined ratio designation instruction, and the ratio determination unit can receive information with a new information code when the reception unit receives the predetermined ratio designation instruction. The ratio of the image area to the entire code is set to a predetermined maximum ratio.
With this configuration, a novel display change in a form in which the ratio of the image area is increased can be performed by a relatively simple instruction of giving a predetermined ratio designation instruction to the display device.
In the above representative example, when the selection display as shown in FIG. 11 is performed and the “maximum enlargement of the internal image” is selected, the internal image is changed to a predetermined maximum ratio. However, specifically, when “maximum enlargement of internal image” is selected, the size is changed to a predetermined maximum ratio (constant ratio) with respect to the size of the entire image. The maximum area that can be expressed after recording the decoding target data recorded in the information code as shown in FIG. 11 before the display change (necessary data such as decoding target data, format data, error correction data, etc.) May be changed so as to be the size of the maximum area that can be secured when the cell area in which is recorded is arranged near the outer edge. Such a method can be applied to the case where the enlargement ratio is set to be larger than 100%, the case where the enlargement ratio is kept at 100%, or the case where the enlargement ratio is set to less than 100%.
In the above representative example, the condition for changing the ratio of the image area to the entire information code by the ratio determining unit is “maximum enlargement of the internal image” is selected. For example, as shown in FIG. In such a selection screen, “ratio of image area” may be input as a numerical value. For example, when “ratio of image area” is designated as 70% on the selection screen as shown in FIG. 11, the enlargement ratio may be larger than 100% or the enlargement ratio may be left at 100%. Even when the enlargement ratio is less than 100%, the “image area ratio” may be changed to 70%. In this case, for example, the image area may be changed so that the center position of the image area is the same before and after the change.

Also, in this configuration, a plurality of types of model numbers having different combinations of cell row numbers and column numbers are prepared, and the structure determination unit is configured to record the information code recorded on the display unit before the change instruction and A new model number is determined based on the change instruction, and an internal configuration with a new information code is determined based on the determined model number and the ratio of the image area determined by the ratio determination unit.
In this way, when a change instruction is made, after determining a new model number according to the change instruction, if a configuration that generates and displays a new information code, simply enlarge the entire code image, It is possible to make fine adjustments that cannot be achieved with existing methods such as reduction.

In this configuration, the information code displayed on the display unit before the change instruction is decoded by a specific pattern area in which a specific pattern having a predetermined shape is arranged inside the code area and a plurality of types of cells. A data recording area representing the target data, an error correction data recording area in which error correction data for performing error correction in the data recording area is recorded, and in order to perform error correction in the data recording area without decoding target data being recorded And an image area configured as an area in which no error correction data is recorded, and the structure determination unit records the first area in which the fixed pattern is arranged in the code area and the data recording area. A second area in which at least the decoded data to be decoded is recorded, a third area in which error correction data for performing error correction in the second area is recorded, and the data to be decoded Is recorded as an area in which error correction data for performing error correction in the second area is not recorded, and a fourth area in which an image obtained by enlarging or reducing the image in the image area by a predetermined method is represented. The internal configuration of the new information code is determined in the form provided.
According to this configuration, in any information code before and after the change, the area where the image is displayed can be represented as a special area where the decoding target data is not recorded and the error correction data is not recorded. Can be configured more freely. And in the structure which displays the characteristic information code in this way, a novel display change that changes the ratio of the image area becomes possible.

[Application example of the first embodiment]
This application example includes all the configurations of the first embodiment, and is applied to the following example.
In this application example, for example, the user operates the display device 2 to take a photograph at the site as shown in FIG. After a photograph is taken in this manner, a predetermined start operation is performed, whereby a code pattern as shown in FIG. 17B (a pattern other than the empty area 110 in the information code 100 (frame QR) described above) is obtained. It has come to appear. Then, the code pattern can be moved to a desired position by performing a drag operation or the like on the composite image in which the code pattern is incorporated in the captured image as shown in FIG. As shown in (A), an image at a desired position in the captured image can be represented in the empty area 110 of the information code 100. By performing a predetermined determination operation in a state where the image at the desired position is represented in the empty area 110 of the information code 100 as described above, the image at the desired position is displayed in the empty area 110 as shown in FIG. The information code 100 (frame QR) is generated. In the data recording area of the information code 100, a URL of a blog or a message to a friend may be recorded. Then, when the information code 100 is read, a present image may be displayed by a blog specified by the URL, an application of the read person's terminal, or the like. The information code 100 generated in this way can be displayed in S101 of the display process of FIG. 10, and when changing the image of the information code 100, as in the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. Just follow the flow.

[Second Embodiment]
Next, a second embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.
In the first embodiment, an example is shown in which the empty area 110 is provided and the empty area 110 is configured as an image area. However, the present invention is not limited to such an example. For example, an image as described above is provided by overwriting or the like in a cell arrangement area of a general two-dimensional code (for example, QR code) capable of error correction, and error correction is performed on data in the area crushed by such an image area. You may make it restore by. This example will be described in the second embodiment. The information code utilization system of the second embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment in terms of hardware configuration, and the configuration as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 described above is used.

  In the information code utilization system of the second embodiment, an information code 200 as shown in FIG. 19B is generated by the information code display device 2 (see FIG. 1 and the like). Even in this configuration, a specific pattern area in which a specific pattern (position detection pattern 204) having a predetermined shape is arranged inside the code area, a data recording area in which data is recorded by a plurality of types of cells, and information code reading An image region 121 that is a target for performing predetermined image recognition processing by the apparatus 10 is provided.

  In this configuration, a configuration other than the configuration in the empty area 210 is configured as a known QR code (registered trademark). First, as shown in FIG. 19A, a specific pattern area and data A recording area and an error correction code recording area for recording an error correction code by a plurality of types of cells are provided. The recording method of the data code word in the data recording area and the recording method of the error correction code word in the error correction code recording area are the same as those of the known QR code (registered trademark), for example, a method defined in JISX0510 The arrangement of the position detection pattern 204 in the code area, the arrangement of the data code word in the data recording area, and the arrangement of the error correction code word in the error correction code recording area are determined.

  However, as shown in FIG. 19A, an information code 200 ′ in which a code word in a partial area is configured as a code word expressed only by white cells is generated, and the center expressed by only white cells in this way. The area is defined as an empty area 210, and an image area 121 is configured by representing symbols and other images in the empty area 210 as shown in FIG. 19B. When configured in this way, the configuration is different from the original data display as shown in FIG. 19A, but the error in the data in the empty area 210 is corrected by the error correction recorded in the error correction code recording area. A known error correction may be performed using a code.

  Further, in the information code 200 shown in FIG. 19B, since the position of the empty area 210 (image area 121) is specified in advance, this display is displayed when design and information are added to the empty area 210 for display. The error position due to is known in advance. Therefore, the error correction code in the error correction code recording area can be configured to perform erasure correction using the position of the empty area 210 as the error position. In this case, information indicating the position of the vacant area 210 is recorded in the data recording area in advance, or stored in the reading apparatus 10 (FIG. 1) in advance, so that the reading apparatus 10 can read the vacant area at the time of reading. The position of 210 (that is, the position of the data code word in which an error has occurred) can be specified, and the reader 10 can determine the position of the data code word existing in the empty area 210 whose position is specified in this way. In order to correct the error, the erasure correction may be performed using the error correction code recorded in the error correction code recording area.

  Further, when a part of the existing QR code (registered trademark) is configured as the empty area 210 as shown in FIG. 19, the identification information as shown in FIG. 21 is included in the data recorded in the data recording area. Good. FIG. 21 conceptually shows the structure of the data to be decrypted recorded in the data recording area. In this example, data of a predetermined structure (%% IMAGE %%) is attached to the beginning of the data to be decrypted. Yes. With this configuration, the reading device 10 performs predetermined processing (for the image area 121) when detecting this identification information (%% IMAGE %%) from the data to be decoded recorded in the data recording area. For example, an image recognition process or the like) can be performed. Conversely, when the identification information (%% IMAGE %%) cannot be detected, a normal decoding process is performed. In this example, it is desirable that the data in the data recording area includes position data for specifying the position of the image area and other accompanying information in addition to the normal data. Further, the data shown in FIG. 21 indicates the data to be decoded that is arranged before the end terminal in the data recorded in the data recording area, and the padding code that is arranged after the end terminal is omitted. doing. In this configuration, for example, the entire area of the padding code can be displayed with only white cells, and this area can be handled as the empty area 210.

  Moreover, the example of identification information is not restricted to this example, For example, you may make it use a mode number for exclusive use as a mode number. For example, in the QR code standard, 1: numerical mode, 2: alphanumeric mode, 3: concatenation mode, etc. are defined, and 14: image recognition mode may be provided as one of such mode numbers. Good. In such an example, when the mode number “14” is set, the image recognition processing for the image area 121 may be performed.

  In this configuration, on the premise of such a configuration of the information code 200, display processing is performed in the same flow as in the first embodiment. Specifically, display processing is performed according to the flow of FIG. 10, and first, as shown in FIG. 20A, one of the information codes 200 having the above-described configuration is displayed (S101). After the information code 200 is displayed in S101, the process waits until there is an instruction to change the displayed information code 200. Specifically, after the process of S101, the process of S102 is performed to determine whether or not an enlargement instruction or a reduction instruction for the image has been issued. Then, after S101, while the enlargement instruction or the reduction instruction for the image is not made, the determination of No is repeated in S102. On the other hand, if an enlargement or reduction instruction is given to the image after S101, the process proceeds to Yes in S102. Specifically, when a predetermined operation (for example, a right click operation on the mouse or an operation of touching the touch panel for a long time) is performed with the information code 200 as shown in FIG. 20 being displayed, A selection image similar to that in FIG. 11 is displayed, and any item can be selected from the items displayed in the selection image. If either “enlargement / reduction as image” or “enlarge the internal image to the maximum” is selected, the process proceeds to Yes in S102.

  For example, if “magnification” is 120%, when either “enlargement / reduction as image” or “enlargement of internal image to the maximum” is selected, it is already displayed as shown in FIG. The information code is expanded so that the vertical length is expanded to 120% and the horizontal length is expanded to 120% with respect to the size of the information code. For example, when “enlargement / reduction as image” is selected in a state where “magnification” is larger than 100%, the information code before enlargement and the information code after enlargement are similar. As a whole, the entire code is expanded. On the other hand, when “maximum enlargement of internal image” is selected in a state where a value greater than 100% is specified for “magnification”, the information code displayed as shown in FIG. Enlarge as shown in FIG. In this enlargement process, the display unit after the size enlargement instruction is larger than the ratio of the image area 121 to the entire information code in the information code (for example, FIG. 20A) displayed on the display unit 6 before the size enlargement instruction. The ratio of the image area 121 to the entire information code in the information code displayed in FIG. 6 (for example, FIG. 20B) is larger.

  In this configuration, the information code 200 (FIG. 20 (A)) displayed on the display unit 6 before the change instruction is a specific pattern (a known finder pattern or a predetermined shape) in the code area. A specific pattern area in which an alignment pattern or the like is arranged, a data recording area (normal decoding target data recording area defined by the QR Code (registered trademark) standard) that represents decoding target data by a plurality of types of cells, and data An error correction data recording area (normal error correction data recording area defined in the QR Code (registered trademark) standard) in which error correction data for error correction in the recording area is recorded, and an error correction data recording area An image area 121 configured as an area in which error correction is performed by data is provided. When the control unit 3 corresponding to the structure determination unit generates a new information code as shown in FIG. 20B by selecting “maximum enlargement of the internal image”, the control unit 3 At least the first area where the fixed pattern is arranged (area such as the finder pattern and alignment pattern in the QR code (registered trademark) after the display change) and the decoding target data recorded in the data recording area are recorded. A second area (normal decoding target data recording area defined in the QR Code (registered trademark) standard) and a third area (QR code) in which error correction data for error correction in the second area is recorded. (Registered Trademark) standard error correction data recording area) and an area for error correction by the data in the third area and the image area 121 (FIG. 20A). The fourth region 121 where the image is enlarged or reduced image in a predetermined manner represented in) determines the internal structure of (FIG. 20 (B)) and a new form of providing the information code.

  As shown in FIG. 20B, when a new information code having a size corresponding to the change instruction is generated, the error correction rate for the new information code is determined based on the change instruction. . For example, error correction can be enhanced so that the error correction rate with the information code in FIG. 20B is larger than the error correction rate with the information code in FIG. 20A, and a wider range of errors can be corrected. I am doing so. Then, the image area 121 is reconstructed within a range that can be corrected with the newly set error correction rate. In this case, the error correction rate may be changed to a level at which the error in the image area 121 set after the change can be corrected. If the error in the image area 121 after the change can be corrected even with the error correction rate before the change, the error correction rate is changed You don't have to.

  When a new information code having a size corresponding to the change instruction is generated as shown in FIG. 20B, the decoding originally recorded in the information code before change as shown in FIG. The second area is configured by recording data including target data and predetermined dummy data different from the data to be decoded. In this configuration, in the information code 200 before the change shown in FIG. 20 (A), the data to be decoded that “△△ has been developed ...” is recorded, and the size is as shown in FIG. 20 (B). Even with the larger information code, the same data “△△ has been developed ...” is recorded, but with the information code with a larger size, only the same data “△△ has been developed ...” Then, the cell array area will be left over. Therefore, dummy data in which predetermined characters are arranged is arranged in addition to the original data to be decoded that “ΔΔ has been developed” so as to fill such a remainder. As a result, the information code 200 after the change (FIG. 20B) is empty except for the specific pattern recording area, the image area, the format data recording area, the decoding target data recording area, and the error correction data recording area. This area is filled as a recording area for dummy data.

  In this configuration, image reduction processing is also possible. For example, if “magnification” is 80%, when either “enlargement / reduction as image” or “enlargement of internal image to the maximum” is selected, it is already displayed as shown in FIG. The information code is reduced so that the vertical length is reduced to 80% and the horizontal length is reduced to 80% with respect to the size of the information code. For example, when “magnification / reduction as image” is selected in a state where “magnification” is smaller than 100%, the information code before reduction and the information code after reduction are similar. As a whole, the entire code is reduced. On the other hand, when “magnify the internal image to the maximum” is selected in a state where “magnification” is smaller than 100%, the information displayed on the display unit 6 before the size reduction instruction is given. The ratio of the image area to the entire information code in the information code displayed on the display unit 6 after the size reduction instruction is larger than the ratio of the image area to the entire information code in the code (for example, FIG. 20A). Change to

(Example of effects of this configuration)
Even in this configuration, the same effect as in the first embodiment can be obtained.
Furthermore, according to this configuration, in any information code before and after the change, an area where an image is displayed can be represented as an area where error correction is performed using error correction data. Therefore, it is possible to make a novel display change by changing the ratio of the image area while utilizing the existing idea of correcting the image area by the error correction data.

In this configuration, when generating a new information code having a size corresponding to the change instruction, the generation unit determines an error correction rate for determining the error correction rate for the new information code based on the change instruction. Department. Then, the structure determining unit determines the internal configuration with the new information code according to the error correction rate determined by the error correction rate determining unit based on the change instruction.
In this way, if a configuration in which an error correction rate can be newly determined when a new information code is generated in response to a change instruction, the degree of freedom is large and the error correction rate is not constrained by the configuration before the change. Fine adjustment is possible.

  Further, in this configuration, the structure determination unit generates data to be decoded when generating a new information code having a size different from the information code displayed on the display unit before the change instruction according to the change instruction. And the second area is configured to record data including predetermined dummy data different from the data to be decoded. According to this configuration, even when an empty space (an empty space that is neither an image area nor a recording area for data to be decoded) is generated due to the change in size, the space is filled with dummy data to make the appearance. It is possible to prevent the deterioration of designability.

[Third Embodiment]
Next, a third embodiment will be described.
The information code utilization system of the third embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment in terms of hardware configuration, and the configuration as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is used.

  In the information code utilization system of the third embodiment, the information code 300 as shown in FIG. 22B is generated by the information code display device 2 (see FIG. 1 and the like). Even in this configuration, a specific pattern having a predetermined shape (L-shaped alignment pattern 304a and light cells and dark cells are alternately arranged one by one inside the code region, and L along the boundary of the code region. A specific pattern area in which a timing pattern (timing cell) 304b) constituting a character-shaped area is arranged, and a data recording area in which data is recorded by a plurality of types of cells are provided. The empty area 310 in which at least one of data recording and design display can be performed at a position different from the method of recording data in the data recording area is set to a predetermined size larger than the size of a single cell. Is provided.

  In this configuration, except for the configuration of the empty area 310, it is configured as a known data matrix code. First, as shown in FIG. 22A, in the code area, a specific pattern area, a data recording area, An error correction code recording area for recording an error correction code by a plurality of types of cells is provided. The recording method of the data code word in the data recording area and the recording method of the error correction code word in the error correction code recording area are the same as the known data matrix code, and the alignment pattern 304a and timing pattern 304b in the code area. The arrangement of the data code word in the data recording area and the arrangement of the error correction code word in the error correction code recording area are determined in accordance with, for example, the ECC200 version.

  However, as shown in FIG. 22A, an information code 300 ′ in which a code word of a partial area is configured as a code word expressed only by white cells is generated, and thus an area expressed only by white cells. With AR as a free area 310, an image area 121 is provided in this free area 310 as shown in FIG. When the image area 121 is provided in the empty area 310 as shown in FIG. 22B, the configuration is different from the original data display as shown in FIG. 22A. A known error correction may be performed using the error correction code recorded in the error correction code recording area.

  In the information code 300 shown in FIG. 22B, the position of the empty area 310 is specified in advance. Therefore, when a design or information is added and displayed in the empty area 310, the error position by this display is set in advance. I know that. Therefore, the error correction code in the error correction code recording area can be configured to perform erasure correction using the position of the empty area 310 as the error position. In this case, information indicating the position of the empty area 310 is recorded in the data recording area in advance, or is stored in the reading apparatus 10 (FIG. 1) in advance, so that the reading apparatus 10 can read the empty area at the time of reading. The position of 310 (that is, the position of the data code word in which an error has occurred) can be specified, and the reader 10 can determine the position of the data code word existing in the empty area 310 in which the position is specified in this way. In order to correct the error, the erasure correction may be performed using the error correction code recorded in the error correction code recording area.

  Further, when a part of the existing data matrix code is configured as the empty area 310 as shown in FIG. 22, the identification information similar to that shown in FIG. 21 may be included in the data recorded in the data recording area. Moreover, the example of identification information is not restricted to this example, For example, you may make it use a codeword for exclusive use. As the specification of the data matrix code, for example, when 0 to 128 is defined as an ASCII character and 233 is a connection mode, “234” may be newly defined as a special code word for image recognition. In such an example, when the code word “234” is included in the data in the data recording area, the image recognition process for the image area 121 may be performed.

  And also in the information code 300 comprised in this way, a display process can be performed by the method (refer FIG. 10 etc.) similar to 1st, 2nd embodiment. Further, in the display processing (for example, code size change processing) for the information code 300, the same idea as in the second embodiment can be applied.

[Other Embodiments]
The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described with reference to the above description and drawings. For example, the following embodiments are also included in the technical scope of the present invention.

  In the first embodiment and the like, the position data indicating the position of the information input area (for example, the image area position information shown in FIG. 3) is included in the information code 100. However, the present invention is not limited to such an example. I can't. For example, the information code display device 2 may be configured to generate the information code so that the image area is arranged at a predetermined position in the empty area. In this case, information for specifying a predetermined position (information such as image region position information shown in FIG. 3) may be stored in the storage unit 5. In this case, as in the information code display device 2, the information code reading device 10 stores specific information (information such as image area position information shown in FIG. 3) for specifying a predetermined position in the memory 35. Good. Then, in the information code reader 10, in S45 of FIG. 9, such specific information is read from the memory 35 to specify the information input area, and the subsequent processing may be performed. In this case, the image area position information shown in FIG. 3 may not be included in the header data.

  The present invention can also be configured as a computer-readable program for performing the display processing described above. Moreover, it can also be comprised as a recording medium which recorded the program for performing the display process mentioned above.

  In the configuration of FIG. 1 and the like, an example in which the information code display device 2 and the information code reading device 10 are configured as separate devices is shown, but the information code display device 2 may be configured as the information code reading device 10. Good. Further, the information code display device 2 may be constituted by a plurality of devices, and the information code reading device 10 may be constituted by a plurality of devices.

  In the above embodiment, an example in which the empty area 110 (image area 121) is provided at the center of the code area has been described. However, the arrangement of the empty area 110 is not limited to this example. For example, an empty area may be provided near the periphery of the code area, and this area may be used as the image area 121. In addition, as the design of the image area, various other designs can be adopted as long as the configuration includes a figure, a pattern, a color, or a combination thereof. In addition, when information is displayed instead of the design or together with the design, the contents of the information are various.

  In the above embodiment, the QR code is taken as an example of the other type code, and the specific pattern of the QR code is taken as an example of the specific pattern used in the information code 100. However, other types of two-dimensional codes may be used. For example, a data matrix code may be used as the other type code, and a specific pattern used in the information code 100 may be used as the specific pattern of the data matrix code.

  In the above embodiment, an example of the “code area” is shown. However, the “code area” may be a minimum square area or rectangular area that includes all of the plurality of types of cells constituting the information code, and the inner edge of the code area. The cell may not be arranged in a part of the part. For example, as shown in the information code 800 of FIG. 23, the empty area 810 may be formed adjacent to the periphery of the code area. In this case, the minimum square area or rectangular area including all of the plurality of types of cells constituting the information code 800 is as indicated by a one-dot chain line AR, and the outer edge of the empty area 810 is as indicated by a two-dot chain line AR2, for example. Further, it is sufficient that the image area to be recognized is at least partially in the code area, and the remaining area is outside the code area as in the image area AR3 in FIG. In the example as shown in FIG. 24, information specifying the range of the image area AR3 may be recorded in the data recording area in advance.

  In the above embodiment, a bright cell such as a white cell and a dark cell such as a black cell are exemplified as a plurality of types of cells constituting the code area. However, a specific pattern area, a data recording area, and an error correction code in the code area are exemplified. The recording area may be configured as a first type cell having a predetermined density, luminance, and color, and a second type cell that is different in density, luminance, or color from the first type cell. Alternatively, the specific pattern area, the data recording area, and the error correction code recording area in the code area may be configured by three or more types of cells each having different density, luminance, or color.

  In the above embodiment, an example in which a plurality of cells having a square outer shape are arranged in the specific pattern area, the data recording area, and the error correction code recording area in the code area has been described. It may be a polygon other than a rectangle, or a figure such as a circle or an ellipse.

  In the above embodiment, the position detection pattern 104, the timing pattern 106, the alignment pattern 108, and the like are illustrated as examples of the specific pattern. However, the area is configured as a fixed pattern regardless of the contents of the data recording area and the error correction code recording area. If so, the figure constituting the specific pattern may be another unique figure.

  In the above embodiment, an example of the empty area is shown. However, the empty area is an area in which the data to be decoded is not recorded by the cell, and information display or image Any area may be used as long as it is displayed. For example, as in the first embodiment, a vacant area may be configured as an area where no code word is arranged. In a known QR code, an error correction code word that represents an error correction code or data to be decoded is used. An area where a data code word to be expressed is not arranged and a padding code word is arranged may be a free area. Further, in any free area, “information display by a method different from the method of recording data in the data recording area by cell” can be performed, and this information display is exemplified in the above embodiment. In addition to information, other information such as letters, numbers, and other symbols may be used, or a method of displaying information that represents a specific product or service by a trademark or the like may be used. Further, in the free area, “image display by a method different from the method of recording data in the data recording area by cell” can be performed, and the display of this image is not limited to the image exemplified in the above embodiment, Various shapes, patterns, colors, combinations thereof, and the like can be represented.

Also, the information code 900 in FIG. 25 may be configured. In this example, the same empty area as that of the first embodiment is provided, but only the specification of the empty area is different from that of the first embodiment. In the example of FIG. 25, the specific contents of the areas other than some of the specific patterns are omitted, and in fact, light cells and dark cells are arranged in the external area outside the empty area 910. Become. In the free space 910, for example, an image similar to the free space 110 of the first embodiment or an image similar to the free space of other embodiments is displayed.
Also in this configuration, a plurality of model numbers are prepared for the type of the information code 900. For each model number, the number of rows and columns of cells, the shape and position of a specific pattern, the position of format information, and the candidate position (address) of a code word Is predetermined. When the display device 2 generates the information code 900, the model number information is arranged at a predetermined position in the code area (the reserved area 107 in the example of FIG. 25). Therefore, when the reading device 10 reads the information code 900, the code image of the information code 900 is analyzed, and the model number information arranged at a predetermined position is read, so that the number of rows and columns of cells of the information code 900, The shape and position of the specific pattern, the position of the format information, and the candidate position (address) of the code word can be grasped.
When generating the information code 900, one of the model numbers is selected from a plurality of model numbers prepared in advance. Thereby, the basic configuration (the position of the specific pattern 104, the number of rows and columns of cells, the candidate position of the code word) in the code area is determined. For example, the model number of the configuration shown in FIG. 25 has a cell array of 29 rows and 29 columns, and a specific pattern 104 having the same structure as a QR code (registered trademark) cut-out symbol at three predetermined corners. Is arranged. An area (predetermined position 105) for recording format information is provided at a predetermined position near the specific pattern 104. In addition, in the 29 × 29 matrix area, codeword candidate positions are determined in advance at positions other than the specific pattern 104 and the predetermined position 105, and addresses from 0 to 67 are assigned to the candidate positions. . In this way, since the configuration in the code area is defined in advance in the configuration corresponding to the model number, if the model number is specified, it is possible to specify which order code word is arranged at which position. Become. The information of the determined model number is recorded at a predetermined fixed position in the model number array. For example, in the example of FIG. 25, model number information is recorded in an area 107 specified by a predetermined type of hatching.
After the model number is determined and the basic configuration in the code area is determined, the shape and position of the empty area are determined. The method for determining the shape of the vacant area may be determined by, for example, a method of selecting from a plurality of candidate shapes prepared in advance, or shape designation information input from the outside to the information code display device 2 You may decide by the method of setting to the shape according to. Or you may determine only to the fixed shape decided. Further, the position of the empty area may be determined as a predetermined fixed position, or may be determined by inputting information for designating the position by the user.
After the vacant area is determined, the information code 900 is configured such that the code word in the data recording area and the code word in the error correction code recording area are respectively arranged at the candidate position of the code word that deviates from the determined position of the vacant area. Is generated. For example, in the model number configured as shown in FIG. 25, specific patterns 104 are arranged at three corners, and 68 codeword candidates numbered from 0 to 67 on the basis of the positions of the specific patterns 104 are used. The position is defined in advance. In such a layout, when the empty area 910 is determined as shown in FIG. 25, the candidate position of the code word that at least partially enters the empty area 910 is excluded from the arrangement target position, and the position of the excluded code word The code words are arranged in order as if skipping. For example, in the example of FIG. 25, since the empty area 910 is set so as to enter the candidate positions of the code words 50, 51, 53, 54, and 60 to 67, these 50, 51, 53, Code words are not arranged at the candidate positions of the 54th and 60th to 67th codewords. That is, after the code words are arranged in order at positions 0 to 49, the code words 50 and 51 are skipped and the code words are arranged at the position 52, and then the codes 53 and 54 are skipped and the codes 55 to 59 are skipped. The code words are arranged in order at the positions. In this way, the data code word obtained by encoding the data to be decoded and the error correction code word representing the error correction code can be reliably arranged at the candidate positions outside the empty area 910.
After determining the specific pattern area (specific pattern 104 or other specific pattern area), the format area (predetermined position 105), the model number area 107, each codeword area, and the like, the specific contents of the empty area 910 are determined. To decide. In this information code 900 as well, an information code 900 having the same function as in FIG. 1 can be configured by representing an image similar to the empty area 110 in the empty area 910. Note that the method of using the information code 900 is the same as in the first embodiment and other embodiments.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Information code utilization system 2 ... Information code display apparatus 3 ... Control part (Reception part, production | generation part, ratio determination part, structure determination part, error correction rate determination part)
4 ... Operation part (reception part)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 6 ... Display part 10 ... Information code reader 100 ... Information code 102 ... Cell 104 ... Position detection pattern (specific pattern)
110 ... Empty area (image area)

Claims (12)

A display unit capable of displaying an information code comprising: an area in which cells serving as units for displaying information are arranged; and an image area in which an image other than the cells is displayed;
A receiving unit capable of receiving a change instruction to change the overall size of the information code displayed on the display unit or the size of a part of the information code;
After the information code is displayed on the display unit, when the change instruction is received by the receiving unit, at least the recorded content of the information code displayed on the display unit before the change instruction is recorded. And a generation unit that performs a process of generating a new information code in which the image of the image area is represented with contents according to the change instruction;
With
The generator is
A ratio determining unit that determines a ratio of the image area with respect to the entire information code in the new information code when generating the new information code according to the change instruction;
A configuration determining unit that determines an internal configuration of the new information code so that the content corresponds to the change instruction according to the ratio of the image area determined by the ratio determining unit;
Have
The display unit displays the new information code in the internal configuration determined by the configuration determination unit when the generation unit performs the process of generating the new information code ,
The ratio determining unit, when the receiving unit receives a size enlargement instruction to increase the overall size or the size of the image area than the information code displayed on the display unit before the change instruction, The ratio of the image area to the entire information code in the new information code so as to be larger than the ratio of the image area to the entire information code in the information code displayed on the display unit before the size enlargement instruction An information code display device characterized by determining   The structure determining unit, when the size enlargement instruction for increasing the overall size of the information code is accepted by the accepting unit, the image with the information code displayed on the display unit before the size enlargement instruction The internal configuration of the new information code so that the ratio of the cell size to the size of the image area in the new information code is smaller than the ratio of the cell size to the area size. The information code display device according to claim 1, wherein the information code display device is determined.   When the size enlargement instruction is accepted by the accepting unit, the configuration determining unit selects a cell having the same size as the cell in the information code displayed on the display unit before the size enlargement instruction. The information code display device according to claim 1, wherein an internal configuration of the new information code is determined so as to obtain an arrayed structure. A display unit capable of displaying an information code comprising: an area in which cells serving as units for displaying information are arranged; and an image area in which an image other than the cells is displayed;
A receiving unit capable of receiving a change instruction to change the overall size of the information code displayed on the display unit or the size of a part of the information code;
After the information code is displayed on the display unit, when the change instruction is received by the receiving unit, at least the recorded content of the information code displayed on the display unit before the change instruction is recorded. And a generation unit that performs a process of generating a new information code in which the image of the image area is represented with contents according to the change instruction;
With
The generator is
A ratio determining unit that determines a ratio of the image area with respect to the entire information code in the new information code when generating the new information code according to the change instruction;
A configuration determining unit that determines an internal configuration of the new information code so that the content corresponds to the change instruction according to the ratio of the image area determined by the ratio determining unit;
Have
The display unit displays the new information code in the internal configuration determined by the configuration determination unit when the generation unit performs the process of generating the new information code,
The ratio determination unit, when a size reduction instruction to reduce the size than the information code displayed on the display unit before the change instruction is received by the reception unit, before the size reduction instruction The ratio of the image area to the entire information code in the new information code is determined so as to be larger than the ratio of the image area to the entire information code in the information code displayed on the display unit. to that information code display device.   When the size reduction instruction is received by the reception unit, the structure determination unit has a structure in which cells smaller than information code cells displayed on the display unit before the size reduction instruction are arranged. 5. The information code display device according to claim 4, wherein an internal configuration with the new information code is determined as described above.   When the size reduction instruction is received by the reception unit, the structure determination unit is configured to increase the cell size relative to the size of the image area in the information code displayed on the display unit before the size reduction instruction. The internal configuration of the new information code is determined so that the ratio of the cell size to the size of the image area in the new information code is smaller than the ratio of the size. The information code display device according to claim 4. The reception unit is capable of receiving a predetermined ratio designation instruction,
The ratio determination unit sets a ratio of the image area to the entire information code in the new information code as a predetermined maximum ratio when the reception unit receives the predetermined ratio designation instruction. The information code display device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein There are several types of models with different combinations of cell row and column numbers.
The structure determining unit determines a new model number based on the information code recording content displayed on the display unit before the change instruction and the change instruction, the determined model number, and the ratio The information code display according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein an internal configuration of the new information code is determined based on a ratio of the image area determined by a determination unit. apparatus. The information code displayed on the display unit before the change instruction includes the specific pattern area in which a specific pattern having a predetermined shape is arranged inside the code area, and data to be decoded by a plurality of types of cells. A data recording area to be represented, an error correction data recording area in which error correction data for performing error correction in the data recording area is recorded, and an error correction in the data recording area in which the data to be decoded is not recorded And the image area configured as an area where no error correction data is recorded,
The structure determining unit includes a first area in which a fixed pattern is arranged in the code area, a second area in which at least the decryption target data recorded in the data recording area is recorded, and the second area A third area in which error correction data for performing error correction is recorded, and an area in which the decoding target data is not recorded and error correction data for performing error correction in the second area are not recorded, The internal structure of the new information code is determined by providing a fourth area in which an image obtained by enlarging or reducing the image of the image area by a predetermined method is provided. Item 9. The information code display device according to any one of Items 8 to 10. The information code displayed on the display unit before the change instruction includes the specific pattern area in which a specific pattern having a predetermined shape is arranged inside the code area, and data to be decoded by a plurality of types of cells. A data recording area to be represented, an error correction data recording area in which error correction data for performing error correction in the data recording area is recorded, and an area in which error correction is performed by data in the error correction data recording area And an image area.
The structure determining unit includes a first area in which a fixed pattern is arranged in the code area, a second area in which at least the decryption target data recorded in the data recording area is recorded, and the second area A third area in which error correction data for performing error correction is recorded, and an area in which error correction is performed by the data in the third area, and an image in the image area is enlarged or reduced by a predetermined method The information code display device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein an internal configuration of the new information code is determined in a form in which a fourth area in which an image is represented is provided. . The generation unit includes an error correction rate determination unit that determines an error correction rate for the new information code based on the change instruction when generating the new information code having a size corresponding to the change instruction. Prepared,
2. The structure determination unit according to claim 1, wherein the structure determination unit determines an internal configuration of the new information code according to an error correction rate determined by the error correction rate determination unit based on the change instruction. The information code display device according to any one of 10.   In response to the change instruction, the structure determination unit generates the new information code having a size different from that of the information code displayed on the display unit before the change instruction. 12. The second area is configured to record data including predetermined dummy data different from the decryption target data. 12. Information code display device.

Images